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UPDATE: After a two week investigation, fire officials say the cause of the fire that gutted several downtown Nanaimo businesses was electrical in nature and determined it to be accidental.

Previous story: Crews battled a major fire that has destroyed several businesses in downtown Nanaimo on Wednesday evening.

The fire broke out at around 6:30 p.m. in a building near Commercial Street and Terminal Avenue that houses several businesses. The building served as the home of the Acme Restaurant, which closed its doors in September.

“This is a huge blow for downtown,” said Jerry Hong, Nanaimo’s acting mayor. “The building was a critical piece of the downtown. It was between Commercial Street and Terminal Avenue which is a high-volume corridor that a lot of people driving through downtown saw. This is going to affect businesses and affect the residents of Nanaimo.”

Crews worked hard on trying to protect neighbouring buildings from the flames.

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The age and construction of the building were contributing factors, according to Nanaimo Fire Chief Craig Richardson. Roughly 40 Nanaimo firefighters were on the scene and worked overnight to put out the fire.

Fire investigators are at the scene working with structural engineers to determine if it is safe to go into the building.

There is no word yet as to what may have sparked the blaze.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and the sidewalks and roads in the area will be re-opened when investigators deem the area safe.

Crews are battling a fire in downtown Nanaimo. Photo: Brad Huysmans/Facebook. Brad Huysmans

Crews are battling a major fire in downtown Nanaimo. jay.cee5/Instagram