Roofer dies in fire at St. Catharines restaurant

One man is dead and one remains in hospital after a fire Saturday at MA restaurant on Geneva Street.

St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services responded shortly after 4 p.m. to a report of smoke and flames coming from the roof of the building.

Staff from the Asian food restaurant were quickly evacuated as firefighters searched the two-storey building.

Two unconscious people were located on the second floor and carried out by firefighters, where CPR was begun.

Niagara Regional Police said the two men were employees of a roofing company working at the restaurant.

Roofing material and portable propane tanks could be seen as firefighters raised the ladder truck to help fight the fire.

Drop ceilings hampered firefighters and the fact the fire was in the roof above sprinklers.

The fire was under control shortly before 8 p.m.

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshals, Ministry of Labour police and St. Catharines fire department were on scene Sunday investigating.

Mike Ross, an investigator with the Fire Marshal's Office, said the fire was confined to the second floor and the roof area.

We're working with the information we have, and at this point, we're evaluating how and where the fire started.

Ross said it was too early for a damage estimate. With something like this, there is going to be water damage plus suppression plus the fire.

The building at 123 Geneva St. was formerly Heritage Family Restaurant.

Bob Tymczyszyn is a St. Catharines-based photojournalist with the Standard. Reach him via email: robert.tymczyszyn@niagaradailies.com