Skip to content
AC
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive Deals
  • Automotive repair
  • Automotive Accessories
  • Used Cars
Posted in
  • Automotive repair

Massive fire destroys popular auto repair shop in Meaford

by Dara•20/09/2024

Article content

A large fire destroyed a decades-old family-run auto repair shop and disrupted the flow of water in Meaford Thursday night.

Article content

Black smoke from the blaze at Johnny B’s Automotive and Car Care was seen as far away as Owen Sound and The Blue Mountains as neighbors reported hearing explosions and being overwhelmed by fumes and heat.

Article content

No injuries were reported as of Friday morning.

The city issued a news release early Friday morning asking residents to connect to the municipal water system to avoid municipal drinking the water and to limit consumption as much as possible. The municipality is temporarily shutting down the system to ensure no byproducts of the fire at 452 Sykes St. N. enter the water system.

The city also convened its Emergency Control Group to assess and monitor the situation, according to a municipal media release.

Onlookers gathered on the town’s main thoroughfare just west of the downtown core for hours Thursday night both captivated by the scene and mourning the loss of a popular local business.

Article content

Johnny B’s owner John Bulsink started the family business 21 years ago. He said he plans to rebuild as neighbors come by to offer support and condolences.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said Meaford Fire Chief Courtney Allen Friday morning.

A neighbor said they saw the flames billowing out from a garage bay early Thursday evening and watched from their driveway until the heat and fumes became too much to bear. Small chunks of rubber from the exploding tires littered parts of the driveway Thursday.

Several photo and video posts on social media show a large column of flames and smoke shooting up through the roof of the building as cars burn near the exterior of the structure.

Highway 26, called Sykes Street in Meaford, remained shut down between Susan and Helen Streets Friday morning as crews remained on the scene to monitor the smouldering remains and wait for hazardous materials and clean-up crews.

Fire departments from Gray Highlands and the Town of Blue Mountains, as well as the Inter-Township Fire Department, assisted with the firefighting efforts. Allen said as many as 60 firefighters worked through the night at the scene as well as the Ontario Provincial Police and Gray County Paramedics and their Incident Response Team.

Georgian Bay Community School and some local businesses closed their doors to the public Friday due to water restrictions.

Crowds gathered in Meaford Thursday
Crowds gathered in Meaford Thursday evening as a popular auto repair shop caught fire producing a thick cloud of black smoke that could be seen as far away as Owen Sound and The Blue Mountains. No injuries were reported in the blaze. Greg Cowan/The Sun Times
A firefighter scales to the top of a fire truck while fighting a large structure fire
A firefighter scales to the top of a fire truck while fighting a large structure fire at a popular auto repair shop in Meaford Thursday night. Greg Cowan/The Sun Times
Johnny B's Automotive in Meaford burned Thursday
Johnny B’s Automotive in Meaford burned down Thursday evening as fire crews worked to contain the blaze and thick black smoke billows out of the building. Photo by Jessy Beasley
Johnny B's Automotive in Meaford burned Thursday
Johnny B’s Automotive in Meaford burned down Thursday evening as fire crews worked to contain the blaze and thick black smoke billows out of the building. Photo by Jessy Beasley

Share this article in your social network

Taggedautomotive repair logoautomotive repair shops

Post navigation

Previous Article Previous article:
Pakistan Amends Import Policy, Relaxes Restrictions On Import Of Used Cars
Next Article Next article:
Pandora Jewellery Store Locator Find A Retailer Near You

Recent Posts

  • Live Tv: Business Live Tv, Business Stay Streaming, Reside Television News, Business Live Tv Online Zee Business
  • Legal Rights of the Elderly: Protections and Resources
  • The Role of Law Schools in Shaping Future Legal Practices
  • The Consequences of Not Having a Will
  • The Role of Mediation in Family Law

Archives

  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • October 2023
  • July 2023
  • May 2023
  • December 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022

Categories

  • Automotive Accessories
  • Automotive Deals
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive repair
  • Info
  • News
  • Used Cars

About Us

  • Sitemap
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Contact Us

Partner Link

Partner Link

Copyright © 2025 AC.
Powered by WordPress and HybridMag.
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive Deals
  • Automotive repair
  • Automotive Accessories
  • Used Cars

WhatsApp us