A fire in a hayfield being used as a festival overflow parking lot in Niagara-on-the-Lake has caused more than one-million dollars in damage.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire Chief Rob Grimwood says 19 vehicles were destroyed while another 15 were damaged when the fire broke out Sunday afternoon through a field being used as a parking lot for a lavender festival.
Grimwood says fire officials had previously advised organizers of the Niagara Lavender Festival not to use the field due to the dry conditions of the grass. Photos tweeted by the fire department show numerous burnt-out vehicles - glass shattered and sides charred - and videos show billowing black smoke.
Fire officials say it appears the hot underside of a car parked on the field coupled with the dry straw sparked the fire.
