Weekend fire takes down Dundas West’s Musa

Weekend fire takes down Dundas West’s Musa

This room's on fire: Dundas West's Musa on Sunday, July 4 (Image: Aaron Leaf)

By the time we arrived at 847 Dundas Street West yesterday there was already a crowd of neighbours and passersby scanning the apocalyptic scene: 22 fire trucks, blocked streets and up to 100 firefighters scurrying around in the heat, pouring vast amounts of water onto what used to be Musa restaurant. Eventually the roof seemed to cave, sending the chimney plunging into the street and bricks flying everywhere.

Despite the frenetic atmosphere, the crowd seemed genuinely sad. We could hear gasps of surprise as locals learned that the smoke was indeed coming from the roof of the beloved neighbourhood restaurant. Days away from celebrating its ninth anniversary, Musa was a casual Dundas West spot, popular for brunch and its eclectic Mediterranean menu. It was the kind of place west-enders went to drink a little too much wine, eat a little too much lamb and stumble home through Trinity-Bellwoods.

No word yet on whether the 120-year-old building will be saved. Here’s hoping the ornate brickwork facade, something of a neighbourhood landmark, will be successfully salvaged if owner Amy Fleischman decides to open again.