Stubborn two-alarm strip mall fire causes millions in damage

A stubborn, smoky fire at an Orléans strip mall caused an estimated “couple million dollars” in damage to six to eight businesses on Saturday afternoon.
Alarms were sounded at about 12:35 p.m. as heavy smoke was spotted pouring from the mall on St. Joseph Boulevard near Grey Nuns Drive.
Several businesses, including an upholstery store, were fully involved in the fire, and the first wave of firefighters were advised not to enter the buildings, instead fighting it defensively.