An early morning fire Sunday has destroyed a landmark building on the riverfront in downtown Perth-Andover, displacing eight tenants and affecting two businesses.

Firefighters from Perth-Andover and five neighbouring communities were called in to fight the blaze, reported around 4 a.m. at 756 Perth Main Street.

Canadian Red Cross spokesman Dan Bedell said the fire displaced seven adults and one infant from five apartments in the back and second floor of the McPhail Insurance building. One adult suffered an ankle injury jumping from a second-storey window to escape the fire.

Fire crews worked to salvage items from the insurance office and arts and crafts store on the ground floor, but it appears much was lost in the blaze.

All tenants found places to stay temporarily Sunday morning with friends or relatives in the community.

Disaster volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross have assisted all eight including securing temporary hotel accommodations at least through to Wednesday due to the holidays, Bedell said. The Red Cross is also helping with emergency purchases like clothing, food, replacements for some medications destroyed by the fire, and other essentials.

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