Fire destroys three businesses in Charlottetown

CHARLOTTETOWN – A fire burning in Charlottetown on Wednesday evening destroyed two buildings, including a well-known local restaurant and a pharmacy.
Fire Chief Bill Hogan said at 10:30 p.m. that the fire at Maid Marian’s restaurant was still burning out of control, but it had been contained to the two buildings and was not expected to spread to nearby houses.
He said there had been no injuries of firefighters or civilians.
However, he said that firefighters were “keeping at distance” from shooting flames as the walls and structure of the buildings were collapsing.
He predicted the fire would likely be under control by midnight.
The chief also said that nearby residences, and a gas station across the street, were not threatened by the blaze.
Dick Green, a nearby resident, said in a telephone interview that the cafe was popular spot among locals, and Islanders “packed” its seats in the mornings.
“Everybody went there. They had great breakfasts. Everybody’s going to miss it. There’s a lot of people sad about it now,” he said.
The Sherwood Drug Mart and a smoke shop next to it were also “heavily damaged,” in the blaze, said Hogan.