The morning after a devastating fire broke out at Greco's Pizza on Lakeshore Drive, one North Bay Fire and Emergency Services crew remained at the scene to douse what was once the back section of the restaurant with water from a ladder truck to ensure the smouldering rubble did not ignite once more.
As of early Friday, no injuries had been reported in relation to the incident. The restaurant had already closed for business on Thursday night and no one was inside.
See related: Greco’s fire shuts down Lakeshore Drive
Although the newer front part of the structure remains, there is significant damage to the roof and interior and the building appears to be a total loss. Officials say the fire started in the basement of the building, destroying the main floor above it.
The basement did not extend under the remaining portion of the building, according to the family that owns Greco's Lakeshore. They arrived on the scene alongside the fire crews, prepared to fight the blaze but encountered extreme heat at the access to the basement. The family watched from nearby Martin Street as the events unfolded while supporting each other through the loss.
The emergency call came in around 10:20 p.m. and a section of Lakeshore Drive between Gertrude Street and Mulligan Street was shut down as fire crews battled the blaze at Greco's Pizza. Lakeshore has since reopened but access to Martin Street remains blocked as of early Friday.
North Bay Fire has not yet released an official statement on the fire. BayToday will update as more information is made available.
