The mayor of the town of Stonewall, Man., is sending thanks to emergency workers and sharing sympathies with business owners after a devastating fire destroyed one business and damaged two others last week.

The Town of Stonewall suffered a tremendous loss to its downtown core on Friday, May 24, as a result of an early morning fire that started in the middle of the 300 block of Main Street.

"Our hearts go out to the business owners, property owners, and tenants affected by this tragedy," said Mayor Sandra Smith. 

large plumes of thick black smoke billow above a downtown while fire crews respondThick clouds of smoke billowed over Stonewall's downtown during a massive blaze on May 24, 2024. (Angela Grandmont)

The Stonewall Rockwood Fire Department (SRFD), RCMP, and EMS were dispatched and arrived on the scene quickly with further support provided by the Teulon and Stony Mountain Fire Departments, ensuring that the fire was contained and did not spread to neighbouring properties. 

"On behalf of the Town of Stonewall Council, I would like to extend our appreciation to the SRFD, our first responders, and to our neighbouring Fire Departments who joined in to help fight the blaze," stated Mayor Smith. "We would also like to thank the Rapid Relief Response Team and other community members for ensuring that our first responders were well taken care of while on scene."
 
No injuries were reported resulting from this fire as everyone was evacuated safely. 

The building at 330 Main Street has been destroyed, with the buildings at 326 and 324 Main Street sustaining damage. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.