Silver Snail Roots

On Oct 30 2012, explosions were heard at the Roots store at 367 Queen Street West in downtown Toronto. The story can be seen in the Toronto Star post here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012/10/30/fire_destroys_roots_store_on_queen_st_w.html Photo of the blaze from the paper is included here.

There is an ongoing investigation into the fire but rumors suggest that it may have been caused by a meth lab in the apartment above the Roots store. That building was completely destroyed and a big hole sits where it once stood.

Next door, the long time popular comics shop "The Silver Snail" took much damage as well but remained somewhat standing. Standing enough for the preservation rule to kick in. The building is over 100 years old and although currently being demolished, the front 10 feet shall be kept and remodeled somewhat to its original design.

I found some great old drawings and background on line showing that originally, it was 315 Queen Street and home to one of the "oldest established plumbers in Toronto" , W.J. Burroughs. The article is also posted here as well.