Fire crews fighting blaze deemed suspicious at Mero’s chicken eatery that has been for sale. Photo courtesy City-TV.
The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating a blaze that destroyed a popular fried chicken restaurant that was up for sale at Humber Bay Shores.
Residents said it sounded like an explosion on March 14 around 11 p.m. that blew out the glass windows of Mero’s Hot Chicken on the ground floor of a condo building at 2183 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Marine Parade Drive.
“It was a powerful blast and people were picking up shattered glass on Lake Shore Blvd.,” a nearby business owner said. “There appears to be structural damage inside the store from the explosion and fire.”
The chicken eatery had been on the ground floor at 2183 Lake Shore Blvd. W. since opened about two years ago.
Shattered glass could be seen on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. Toronto Fire said there were reports of an explosion.
The restaurant had been opened for about two years and was quite busy at first, the business owner said.
He said the business had been up for sale for about four months, but there wasn’t that much interest from potential buyers.
Mero’s boasted its freshly cooked locally-sourced chicken that was marinated the night before.
The businessman said many of the condo owners in the area at this time of the year purchase their food using Uber or other food delivery services so they won’t have to leave their units.
There are no reports of injuries from the fire. Fire officials said the building sprinklers activated and prevented the spread of the fire. Crews were able to go in and extinguish the remaining fire.
Residents said a next door dental office, that was slated to open in days, was also damaged from the fire. Other businesses were also affected.
Luckily no one was injured when an explosion destroyed Mero’s fried chicken sending glass flying to the roadway.
It is not known if the condo building underwent any structural damage.
Toronto Fire said it was a one-alarm fire, and there is no word on the estimated cost of damage.
There is no word on cause but the fire is being treated as suspicious.
Mero’s Chicken prided itself on its locally sourced chicken that was marinated from the night before and freshly cooked.
“We wake up early to hand-bread and fry our signature chicken,” according to its advertising.