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UPDATE: Fire in tunnel forces overnight closure

"Significant damage" to the tunnel reported but no injuries

A fire in the Thorold tunnel will keep it closed until at least tomorrow morning.

Originally reported as a truck fire, the fire actually involved a pick up and a car in the Niagara Falls bound lane. Currently under construction, the tunnel is down to one lane in each direction.

Thorold Fire Chief Terry Dixon spoke with ThoroldNews this evening and provided an update.

"The MTO (Ministry of Transportaion Ontario) is inside the tunnel assessing damage to the ceiling and pavement. There was significant damage to the ceiling because of the heat. At this point I believe it wasn't an accident. It was just a car fire that turned into two car fires," said Dixon.

"There were no injuries to the public. We had one firefighter taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion but he is okay and back home resting. It was mostly a precautionary move," Dixon revealed.

At least two ambulances attended but Dixon said having them on scene is standard procedure as a precautionary measure.

Dixon said the tunnel was filling with smoke and the construction crews did a great job of getting people out even before fire personnel arrived.

"I did have every firefighter who was involved inside the tunnel checked out by EMS before leaving," said Dixon.

The Chief said he will be on the job early tomorrow morning to check on the status of the tunnel.