Southend fire: Cafe Chianti, Tomasinos, Taj Mahal
santos
Fire is raging through a building in Halifax's south end this morning.
Firefighters were called to South Street just after 8 a.m. and discovered
heavy fire in 5167 South St., a building that houses the popular restaurant
Cafe Chianti.
The fire has spread between floor joists on the second floor and appears to
be moving into the Taj Mahal, a restaurant connected to the building.
Crews are experiencing heavy flames on the second and third floors of the
building. Heavy smoke is pouring from the structure as crews battled to
maintain the upper hand. Seven fire trucks are on the scene.
Fire crews, concerned about power to the building, have asked Nova Scotia
Power to cut electrical service to the area.
Early into the fire, firefighters broke out all the windows of the Taj Mahal
to ventilate the building. Smoke is also pouring out of an old brick
building next door.
The brick building, which has three apartment units, has one common attic.
Two dogs safely escaped.
Firefighters are in the attic, knocking down the plaster and wood to get at
the flames.
Firefighters have a ladder going up from the ground up to a second-floor
window. A fire truck with a crane is also stationed in front of the burning
building.
Up to a dozen people took pictures as the fire spread. Others - some of whom
are tenants of the apartments above - stood by helplessly at a nearby park
across the street.
The Westin Nova Scotia opened one of its hospitality suites to allow the
displaced tenants to stay warm.
One tenant told the Chronicle Herald another tenant noticed smoke and heard
crackling from the fire early on, called 911 and banged on all the doors to
get everyone else out of the building. There are no reports of injuries.
It's not yet known how many people live in the apartments.
Firefighters are also spraying hoses up to the top floor of a brick building
next to the Taj Mahal.
As the fire progressed, up to 15 fire and emergency vehicles arrived at the
scene. The street is cordoned off with yellow police tape.
At the request of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services, Nova Scotia
Power cut electricity to part of south-end Halifax. Power was initially cut
to 5,964 customers at 9 a.m. By 11 a.m., that number was reduced to 206 as
Nova Scotia Power switched customers to other distribution lines.
Areas affected include South Street from Water to Tower Rd, from College to
Gorsebrook, the west end of Spring Garden Road from Summer Street to Robie
Street, Edward Street and adjacent side streets.
"Our estimate right now is everybody should be back on by 11:30 (a.m.) but
that will be dependent on the needs of the fire services," said David
Rodenhiser, a Nova Scotia Power spokesman.
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although Tomasino's isn't mentioned, it is in the same building, you can
even see it in the picture... I loved going to the Taj Mahal, see how much
of any of these places is left when it ends i guess :(
santos
KD
We could see the smoke and fire trucks from my office. That's so sad,
to lose both the businesses and the apartments.
I haven't been to the Taj Mahal in a few years. I remember the last
time I was there, I was with my cousin, we both like hot food. I
forget what we ordered, but something fabulously hot, we were both
sitting there eating with most unladylike sweat rolling down our
faces. But gosh it was good. :)
KD