BELLEVILLE, ON - August 1, 1993

At 10:53 p.m. on Saturday August 1, 1993 the Belleville Fire Department was dispatched to a reported fire at the Canadian Tavern on the corner of Dundas St. East and Pinnacle St. The establishment often referred to as the “Pink Palace” for its exterior paint colour was a total loss.

City firefighters did not clear the scene for 15 hours. Initially it was believed that the D.J who lived in an upstairs apartment was still in the structure and an aggressive fire attack and search was initiated with firefighters Rick Lake and John Stephenson making their way from one end of the building to the other. In the time it took, it was discovered that the missing man was accounted for and the building was totally involved.  A general alarm was struck recalling all off duty Belleville firefighters to the scene. 

Sidney Township and Ameliasburgh Township fire departments provided backup for the City. Several city firefighters were sent to hospital for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. The building loss was well over $500,000, but thankfully there were no civilian injuries or deaths.

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