Electrical fire causes roughly $50,000 in damage to ex-Huronia Regional Centre building in Orillia

An unoccupied and unused building at the former Huronia Regional Centre (HRC) property caught fire Friday night.

Orillia Fire Department crews were called by security staff to Building 17, located near the middle of the sprawling complex just off Memorial Avenue, Oct. 2. Once on scene, firefighters noticed the large building was full of smoke, Fire Chief Brent Thomas told Simcoe.com Saturday morning.

“On investigation an electrical fire was discovered,” he said. “To ensure the electrical fire was not smouldering in the walls, fire crews had to check in some of the walls for fire extension. We also had to clear smoke from a large building and underground access way.”

Damage is estimated at about $50,000. That number excludes destruction caused by smoke, which will be difficult to assess because renovations on the building are expected to start soon, Thomas said.

“Orillia Fire was able to determine the cause so the (Office of the) Fire Marshal will not be (called in),” he said.

No injuries were reported. At the height of the incident, there were four Orillia trucks on scene, as well as tankers from neighbouring Rama, Ramara and Oro-Medonte departments, Thomas said.

HRC was closed more than a decade ago; the property is presently operated by Infrastructure Ontario and home to a courthouse and OPP training facilities.