It took 30 firefighters from five fire stations to get control of a blaze that ripped through the LA Rock Highway Tavern on Hwy 17 East in Wahnapitae last night.

The call to the Greater Sudbury Fire Services (GSFS) came in just after 10 p.m. Jan. 15. The building not only contains the tavern, but also six basement apartments. Damages are estimated to be $800,000.

Leo Frappier, public safety officer with the GSFS, told Northern Life this morning that when firefighters arrived six of the seven tenants were outside the building, having been woken by the alarms, but one tenant remained inside.

Using the main entrance, firefighters braved heavy smoke and scorching flames and accessed the basement to get the person out.

“The individual was sleeping quite soundly,” Frappier said.

Three of the tenants are staying with family in the area, while the other four are under the care of the Red Cross.

Photos of the fire, which caused severe flame and smoke damage, show flames shooting from the roof of the building as firefighters blast water into the structure from a firetruck ladder.

Frappier characterized it as “a tough fire to fight.”

“Just because of the heat. There was heavy smoke. It was a very hot fire,” he said.

As to the cause, Frappier said the GSFS "has a good idea" where the fire started, but an investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to assist. As to whether the fire is suspicious, Frappier said that is not yet known.

Firefighters brought the fire under control not long after 4 a.m. this morning.

Northern Life will update the story as more information comes available.