FWFD: Buildings in fire at Marketplace of Canterbury to be torn down

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Crews started the process of tearing down the buildings involved in a massive fire at the Marketplace of Canterbury Tuesday morning four hours after it was brought under control.

At 5:12 a.m., firefighters received 911 calls about flames from the roof at Capn' Cork and Mitchell's Sports Bar and Grill in the 5600 block of Saint Joe Road. The first arriving crews found heavy smoke and flames roaring from the roof of the liquor store and restaurant. The fire spread through the entire building, also destroying Canterbury Styling Salon.

According to the Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD), the charred businesses would be demolished for safety reasons.

Of the three businesses damaged, the entire roof over Capn' Cork collapsed. Portions of walls and building facade either collapsed or fell. Mitchell's sustained heavy roof and interior damage.

Photos: Marketplace of Canterbury fire

It took fire crews just over an hour to get the fire under control.

FWFD command staff immediately called for a second-alarm once the initial crews responded because the fire required more firefighters and equipment.

The Marketplace of Canterbury is a well-known commercial complex on Fort Wayne's northeast side which connects several businesses including Piere's, a popular nightclub.

Firefighters cut a portion of the portico connecting to Piere's to keep the fire from spreading. Fort Wayne Fire Department Assistant Chief Jim Murua said heavy smoke and water damage was evident in Piere's, including Club V. The cut in the adjoining roof allowed smoke to escape from the connected businesses to help firefighters get everything under control.

Investigators did not immediately release how or where the fire started. 

Officials have not provided damage estimates. Owners of Piere's were escorted by fire department personnel into the building to assess damage.

A former manager of Piere's and Mitchell's Sports Bar and Grill told NewsChannel 15 that he expected damages to be in the millions of dollars.

No injuries were reported.

The incident remains under investigation.