DAWSON CITY – Demolition continues on the shell of the Klondike  Metallic Industrial (KMI) building, which burned on Tuesday.

The building is owned by longtime Yukoner Don Cox, who used to operate a branch of his Northern Metallic Sales in Dawson.

The most recent incarnation of the business has been operated by the Dawson Hardware Store since last spring.

According to Dawson Fire Chief Mike Masserey, the department received the alarm at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday. A pillar of smoke from the fire was immediately visible all over town.

With the assistance of the RCMP and an EMS crew, a 400-square-foot safety zone was set up along Harper Street, Third Avenue and Front Street.

In Dawson, avenues run east-west while streets run south-north.

The location of the building makes things a bit awkward. It’s at the corner of Front and Harper streets and the online business directory lists it at 742 Front St., while the town’s street listing puts it at 202 Harper St.

That intersection is confusing, as Second Avenue terminates at Harper, right across the street from KMI.

Masserey said the fire started at the rear of the building near a power panel next to a cold storage area. Staff left immediately, and no one was injured.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.