2 streets remain closed after large fire in downtown St. Catharines, Ont.

Two streets in downtown St. Catharines, Ont., are still closed, as firefighters work to fully extinguish a fire that burned nearly 18 hours.

The fire at 17 Queen St., the former home of the St. Catharines Standard newspaper, started around 11 p.m. Friday, city spokesperson Scott Rosts said in a news release Saturday night.

The fire department said they’d put it out at about 5 p.m. Saturday.

But Queen Street and William Street are closed Sunday, while crews continue to work in the area, the city said on social media around 9:30 a.m.

St. Catharines Fire Services posted around 10:30 a.m., saying drivers can exit from the Ontario Street garage.

“William Street will be closed again through Monday morning to allow for crews to do their work safely and efficiently,” the city said. “We still ask the community to avoid the area.”

The fire was on the upper floor of the building and extended to other parts, Roasts said. Part of the roof collapsed and firefighters used an excavator to open up parts of the building and douse the fire.

He added that “due to the severe structural damage and unsafe conditions,” the Fire Marshal will not be investigating, instead deeming the cause of the fire “undetermined.”

No injuries to members of the public or fire fighters have been reported, Rosts said.