Two fires just four hours and two blocks apart were quickly dealt with by Brantford firefighters on Friday and both remain under investigation.
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Flames at the stately Thorpe Brothers Funeral Home on West Street were extending to the roof when firefighters arrived Friday just before 2 p.m.
Brantford Fire spokesperson Scott Pipe said employees who were inside the building exited safely and no one was injured.
The fire was under control by 2:17 p.m., he said.
There is no damage estimate on the building yet but some debris from the fire had to be pulled out to the long front porch of the building.
The building, at 96 West St., is also known as the birthplace of author and novelist Sara Jeanette Duncan. It was turned into a funeral home in 1932.
Just hours later, firefighters were called at about 5:50 p.m. to the old Red Cross building at 25 William St., a scant two blocks away.
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Pipe said three pumpers and an aerial vehicle responded and found smoke showing upon arrival but had the fire quickly under control.
“No one was present when we arrived,” said Pipe.
The fire is still under investigation and there is no damage estimate.
However, the building has been the source of debate by city council, which has heard a proposal to demolish it in favour of a 40-unit apartment building and another call to renovate it into a care cooperative initiative for those with special needs.
During one council meeting, Coun. John Sless advocated for demolition, saying the building looked decent on the outside but the inside had been damaged by those breaking in and setting fires to keep warm.
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