Home / Disasters and Accidents / Fire Code Violations Shut Down Farmer's Market
Fire Code Violations Shut Down Farmer's Market
12 Sep
Summary
- Farmer's market closed due to fire code violations.
- Vendors fear homelessness due to lost income.
- Market management is working with authorities to fix issues.
Trail's End Farmer's Market has been shut down, with gates and barricades now blocking its entrances. This action was taken by the Thames Centre Fire Department (TCFD) due to "potentially catastrophic fire code violations." Vendors, like Alex Schelhaas of Legacy Gems Co., have been forced to clear out their businesses, fearing further repercussions.
Schelhaas voiced significant concerns for his fellow vendors, emphasizing that the market is their primary source of income and that its closure could have devastating consequences, potentially leading to homelessness. He noted that while upgrades were being made to the facility, they were insufficient to meet the fire department's safety standards.
TCFD Chief Neil Dorken confirmed that inspectors monitored the site over the weekend, cautioning against any violations of the closure order. Trail's End management has since contacted the TCFD and is reportedly working with legal counsel to resolve the outstanding issues and reopen the market. The economic impact on vendors in an area with high unemployment is a significant worry.
