Fire marshal investigating El Mayor fire resulting in 'significant loss'

An investigator from Ontario Fire Marshal's office arrived at El Mayor on Wyandotte Street East at Parent Avenue to investigate the fire.

Neighbourhood residents told CBC Windsor the fire broke out shortly after midnight Thursday, but police could not confirm what time the blaze started.

Windsor deputy fire chief Andrea DeJong said it's not clear where the fire originated yet. However, she said there's "a significant loss."

"The interior of it is completely damaged, it's completely fire and water damaged," said DeJong.

The roof had collapsed inward, which affected the crews' ability to get to the hot spots, some being buried under debris, she said.

Two ladder trucks and a large ground presence responded to the fire, using infrared imagers to detect hot spots to focus on.

Due to the cold weather, Windsor fire sent in new firefighters as well to continue battling the flames.

As of 1 p.m., the fire was mostly extinguished.

The fire marshal's investigation will involve some heavy lifting.

"Because of the damage inside El Mayor and being able to get to it, we fully expect there to be heavy equipment involved in it, so that will kind of take place over the next day or so," said DeJong.

Down the block at Street Help, Christine Wilson-Furlonger said the building needed to be evacuated. People sleeping overnight were moved to an apartment.

According to Wilson-Furlonger, staff at El Mayor had gotten out safely.

"Our friends at El Mayor restaurant, we have been in contact. Everyone is safe," said Wilson-Furlonger.

"They're really good people that we've been good friends with."