A massive fire completely destroyed the main building of St. Jacobs farmer's market. The incidence has left the community in shock, Mayor Todd Cowan informed The Globe and Mail.

Fire fighters were summoned immediately before 2 am on Monday after the building caught fire. The fire fighters reached St. Jacobs farmers' market 6 minutes after they had been called.

However, the flames already reached the roof by that time. And that short period was all it took for the 24,000-square-feet building to burn, leaving only its blackened frames standing.

The fire, destroying cooking hoods and cooling equipment, among other things, caused total damages estimated at almost $2 million. However, the buildings were completely insured, informed Rick Pedersen, the Woolwich Township Fire Department chief.

Aside from police and fire officials moving their investigations fast, Mayor Cowan expressed plans of rebuilding the market quickly. Officials will also be erecting fencing so that outdoor vendors may be able to resume selling their wares as soon as possible.

Mr Pedersen also hoped the market grounds would be ready to be used by Thursday, which was the next scheduled opening of the market.

The farmers' market building housed around 60 vendors, who are all shaking their heads at the bad timing of the fire. The next 2 months was expected to be the peak season for tomatoes, peppers, peaches and some other vegetables and fruits. Thanksgiving is also a popular time for the St. Jacobs farmers' market.

St. Jacobs is a town situated in Mennonite country, Ontario, and has a population of about 2000 people. The town is a popular attraction for tourists. Thousands visit St. Jacobs every week, according to the mayor. The farmers' market was among its tourist attractions.

Video source: YouTube/arithmecode