Grocery store on Welland Ave in St. Catharines shut down due to fire

While the reason was kept under wraps at first, it’s looks like the Ryan’s No Frills at 525 Welland Ave in St. Catharines will be shut down indefinitely due to an electric fire.

Previously Dennis’ No Frills, Ryan Humby, former produce manager at the No Frills in Welland, bought ownership of the No Frills on October 17, 2021.

On it’s Facebook page, the store only said, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are currently closed until further notice. Please stay tuned on our page for further updates on when we will be open again. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

However, a quick check with the Niagara Region Health Inspection page confirmed: “Premise closed due to fire.”

The Internet being the internet, one poster said that the store had failed a health inspection. However, that same Niagara Region Health Inspection posting said it had passed its last health inspection on May 11, 2021 with “No issues found.”

Another said it was an electrical fire, noting, “the smell of electrical fire is absolutely awful. What a shame all that food contaminated and spoilage. I feel for the owner and workers. By the time its all cleaned up, inspections passed, and restocked, it can be sometime.”

More than one poster saw workers in hazmat suits coming in and out, with one noting, “I was there today and there was people coming out with white hazmat suits.”

Due to the fact that it likely was an electrical fire – which explains the hazmat suits – most of the food stuff in the store will likely be ruined due to the chemicals spread in the air from a fire of that nature.