‘There’s just nothing left,’ fire wipes out iconic restaurant near Cambridge
Posted August 2, 2022 7:04 am.
Last Updated August 2, 2022 7:14 am.
A small southern Ontario community is in shock after a massive fire destroyed an iconic local landmark over the weekend.
Community members in Puslinch, Ont. are grieving after the large blaze on Saturday wiped out the Old Marina Restaurant on Puslinch Lake, just west of Cambridge.
“We’re devastated,” says property owner Sherron McClintock. “This is the second fire we’ve had in 17 years.”
“We’ve rebuilt it once, and I guess we’re going to be doing it again.”
Video from scene of Puslinch Lake fire at Old Marina Restaurant – video from @CityNewsKIT listener Amy Lightfoot pic.twitter.com/Eo2nzaxPAe
— Lisa Drew (@lisadrewradio) July 30, 2022
Fire and emergency crews responded to a call for a structural fire at the restaurant around 1 p.m. on Saturday. Customers who were packed into the restaurant during the lunch rush were forced to quickly evacuate.
Five fire departments responded to the massive blaze. The Cambridge Fire Department said no injuries we’re reported.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be that bad actually,” one resident tells CityNews. “I was really devastated. There’s just nothing left. It’s really sad to see a family-oriented business burn to the ground.”
The restaurant employs nearly 100 people during the summer months. McClintock says many in the close-knit community are trying to help out and offer jobs to the dozens who are now out of work.
“I’ve heard that other restaurants in the area who need some employees have been reaching out,” McClintock says.
This is all that’s left of the Old Marina Restaurant by Puslinch Lake this morning after the massive weekend fire @CityNewsKIT pic.twitter.com/MGQUN2w88r
— Germain Ma (@GermainMa1) August 2, 2022
The news of the fire prompted responses from many on social media who expressed sadness over the loss of the renowned local establishment.
A GoFundMe page has been setup to help out with non-insurance related costs, including bills and groceries for the employees of the restaurant. The page’s goal is $100,000.
The fire has been deemed not suspicious and the cause is being investigated.
