​Fire causes $2.5-million damage to buildings on Durham Market South in Kincardine

Kincardine Fire and Emergency Services responded to a structure fire at 330 Durham Market Square South in Kincardine at 6:40 a.m., Saturday. This began as a two-station response with both Kincardine and Tiverton stations attending.

Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters encountered an extensive amount of heavy smoke which required the evacuation of neighbouring homes and Victoria Park, resulting in the postponement of the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games, states a press release issued by the Municipality of Kincardine, Monday.

Through mutual aid, the Kincardine and Tiverton stations received additional support from the Ripley station of Huron-Kinloss Fire and Emergency Services and the Port Elgin station of the Town of Saugeen Shores Fire Department. This provided four additional fire apparatus including Saugeen Shores’ aerial truck.

In total, there 34 firefighters on scene battling the blaze.

The South Bruce OPP also responded, along with Bruce County Emergency Medical Services, and an excavator from Kempton Construction.



The fire was challenging due to the construction of the building and origin of the fire, but by 12:30 p.m., crews had the situation under control and the Kincardine Scottish Festival events in Victoria Park could resume.

There were no injuries to report, and the Kincardine fire department has been in contact with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall. The fire was not considered suspicious, but the investigation is continuing this week.

Damage was estimated at $2.5 million.

Appreciation goes out to the Kincardine Legion MacDonald, the Kincardine Scottish Festival’s food trucks and security team, and to the members of the community who helped to keep the first-responders fed and hydrated during a long, hot day.



Kincardine and Tiverton firefighters are joined by their colleagues from Ripley and Saugeen Shores, along with assistance from Kempton Construction, in battling the structure fire on Durham Market South, Kincardine, Saturday morning; photo and video by Liz Dadson