Commercial plaza fire destroys one unit

A fire broke out in the early morning of Aug. 2 at 66 Rankin St. in Waterloo, destroying one unit in a 12-unit commercial plaza.

Waterloo Fire Rescue responded to the blaze just after 4 a.m. and had the fire under control by 6:30 a.m.

Not unlike last April’s Campus Court Plaza fire on University Ave. which destroyed businesses such as Mel’s Diner, it is believed that this plaza also did not have a sprinkler system installed.

Although they are encouraged, Ontario Fire Code states that one-floor plazas are not required to have sprinkler systems.

The cause of the fire and extent of the damage to the plaza is unknown at this time and there were no reported injuries.