Firefighters have yet to determine the cause of an apartment fire Friday afternoon that left 11 people homeless.
During an interview with The Guardian Saturday morning, Charlottetown Fire Chief Randy MacDonald said firefighters are still investigating into the cause of a flame that was initially reported above the Famous Peppers pizza restaurant at 202 Kent Street.
"We've completed the scene examination and are now going through the process of interviewing," said MacDonald.
The blaze, which broke out at approximately 2:50 p.m., caused a dramatic scene in downtown Charlottetown, as onlookers crowded on a blocked off Kent Street to watch the flames and smoke spew out of the building's third-story windows.
Several trucks and about 30 firefighters responded to the call, with many staying at the scene into the evening.
MacDonald said the department completed a scene examination around 7:30 p.m. Friday.
He said a cause should be determined after completing the interview process but added that he's unsure when that will be.
"It all depends where everyone's at," he said.
MacDonald said there was considerable damage to a third-floor apartment where the fire originated.
While the lower floors suffered water damage, MacDonald said the building could be repaired.
While no one was hurt in the dramatic blaze, 11 adults who lived on the second and third levels are now homeless.
The Canadian Red Cross is providing seven of those tenants with emergency food and lodging. Ginette Bryanton, a resident of the apartment where the fire originated, has also been aided with emergency purchases of clothing.
The four other tenants are now staying with friends and family.
Dan Mitchell, who owns Famous Peppers with his wife and daughter, said the restaurant mainly suffered water damage and is looking to re-open as soon as possible.
"The damage to my restaurant can be repaired within a few days," he said, although adding that the building also needs a new roof. "I don't know how long that will take."
"It will all depend on what the fire marshal, insurance and repair people say."
Mitchell said that click flooring used in the restaurant's front may have to be replaced, but added that his ovens and electronics seemed to be fine.
Mitchell and others were cleaning up the restaurant Saturday, while the building remained taped off to the public.
"I could make pizza right now actually," said Mitchell. "There's still a bit of a smoke smell, but that should go away once we have the fans on and start cooking pizza again."
Famous Peppers moved from its former location in Cardigan and into Charlottetown in 2011. The restaurant opened up its Kent Street location around the start of September and had just reached its first six months of operating in the city when the fire broke out.
Burnaby Drudge- I don't think that's what Islander was getting at. Islander was complaining about how firefighters are glorified hero's sometimes. Islander obviously thinks all the do is save cats from trees and whatnot. In fact, judging from many of your posts you misread in other comments and twist them into your own little agenda quite often. Like on the other article about this same fire. Why so angry all the time? While Islander is wrong to complain, two wrongs don't make a right and someday when you grow up you will figure that out.