Update: Site of downtown fire being cleaned up

The charred rubble that was pulled out onto the sidewalk of Water Street in St. John's and the remains of the buildings from Tuesday evening's fire, were being cleaned up today while fire investigators tried to determine the cause.
The building was home to two businesses - the new location of Pasta Plus and Maverick Sports and Collectibles - and two people who lived in an upstairs apartment.
Supt. Randy Hammond of the St. John's Regional Fire Department said the fire took place in a section of downtown full of old buildings, which can be challenging for the department.
"When a fire gets going in these parts, it's a job for us to get to it," he said.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but it is believed to have started in Pasta Plus at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The surrounding area on Water Street was closed to traffic for the better part of Wednesday as crews cleaned up at the scene, and neighbouring businesses were closed.
A large excavator scooped up broken and burned wood, brick and other material as many people stopped by to watch or take photos.
The Canadian Red Cross is providing assistance to the couple whose apartment was in the building. Red Cross volunteers have provided the couple with hygiene kits, food and clothing, and arranged temporary accommodations.
Firefighters were on the scene overnight as they battled what turned out to be a stubborn blaze as fire was found in the walls of the old building, and in voids where various construction and renovations had taken place over the years.
Those problems were compounded by the fact that the worst of the blaze was at the rear of the building, which was difficult to gain access to due to a 10-foot drop to a tight alleyway off Duckworth Street.

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