Investigation continues into cause of Lethbridge Hotel fire
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on March 4, 2023.
A worker with an environmental contractor inspects for hazardous materials among the wreckage Thursday after a fire last week destroyed the historic Lethbridge Hotel. Herald photo by Ian MartensLETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
While authorities still don’t know what caused the fire that destroyed the Lethbridge Hotel last week, demolition of the building and testing of the debris is expected proceed in the coming days.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” fire prevention officer Chad Mellafont confirmed Friday during a news conference at City Hall. “At this point, weather permitting, we’re moving onto the next phase of the operations to support that investigation.”
Beginning Monday and for the following six to nine days crews will continue to demolish the building, separate materials and conduct onsite testing.
Initial testing has already uncovered asbestos, which will be professionally removed and taken to the landfill.
“We’re working closely with Occupational Health and Safety, as well as Alberta Environment, to ensure that we’re handling and abating that asbestos properly.”
The weather, particularly southern Alberta’s infamous west wind, may determine the speed at which demolition and separation can safely proceed. And while heavy machinery will be used to haul debris from the site, Mellafont said the public’s safety is priority.
“Businesses are open and customers are welcome to visit the downtown area and it’s safe for the public to be down there.”
Should any safety concerns arise, the public and businesses will be notified.
Mellafont adds there may be some disruptions during the work, but the city will inform businesses in the area beforehand and explain the steps that will be taken next.
On Thursday, crews began fencing off the demolition site, but, recognizing that surrounding businesses have been significantly impacted by fire and subsequent demolition, crews will do their best to reopen roads as quickly as possible and help restore regular parking and foot traffic in the area.
Anyone with questions or concerns can call Lethbridge 311 by telephone or through online chat from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
While an investigation into the Jan. 31 fire that destroyed Bow on Tong building only a block away also continues, demolition of that historical building has already been completed.
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We all know the ‘group’ who did it and caused the fire at the Bow On Tong. Sooner or later one of them will spill the beans with their loose lips.
We have lost vacant homes, garages, sheds and coulee foilage from the same group.
I want to know how much did this fire cost the city taxpayers. The costs will be high and the cost of getting rid of the asbestos materials in the building.
Interesting that and addict started the fire in the Holiday Inn the same morning.
The citizens of this city have had enough and this complete disrespect for this city, it’s citizens, it’s business community has to end!
The local businesses in that area once again suffer revenue losses because of the homeless addiction issues.
We do have a choice what happens on our streets and we have met all the conditions under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to supply housing for this criminals and it is time we started enforcing the laws that the rest of us have to abide by and take back our streets, parks, neighbourhoods and city from these criminals!
This is clearly a leadership issue and if this leadership will not do the job we pay them to do then they should step down and let those who will, do it!
Good luck trying to find out the costs. I asked the Mayor how much the homeless/addiction issues are costing the local municipal taxpayers alone, not federal or provincial, in October last year and he didn’t know, Council or the committees had no idea and I had to but in a FOIP request, paying for it out of my own pocket and still do not have any answer. I have done a rough estimate that is over $14 million.
I would imagine this will cost the local taxpayers hundreds of thousands.
You are right most of us do know who was frequenting the old hotel prior to it burning and LFD had responded there about a week prior. There was plenty of outside clues to show someone has been inside with the broken windows, etc. It was privately owned I believe, not sure, but if that is the case, police would not enter to see if someone was inside unless a crime had been committed . . . I think . . . but pretty sure that is how it works.
I doubt the owner had enough insurance to cover the costs or the lost revenues from nearby businesses.
The Charter doesn’t state we have to provide them with separate rooms, hotels, just that it is a safe environment. An auditorium with mats on the floor and access to washrooms and showers suffice as long there is security that sees that everyone is free from dangerous incidents.
Nothing in the Charter says we have to provide them with accommodation such as a room for each person or that bunk beds cannot be used.
Most of the ones you see on the streets will not stay anywhere with any type of rules . . . they don’t want anyone stopping their anti-social and criminal behaviours that they display daily/nightly on our streets. There is only place for them . . . JAIL!
Well they have been let down by their own people when their houses are boarded up on the reserve. There is few social safety nets for them on the reserve when that happens. So in a manner of speaking they get a one way ride to Lethbridge. Wonder what would happen if Lethbridge officials tired that, a ride back?
Streets alive( Indigenous folks tell me) used to run a bus service back to the reserve. They should have been able to charge the Blood tribe for that?
We all have to pay for a certain standard of insurance coverage,as the fire department gives the property owner a bill for services. So of course the insurance companies pass on this cost to them, to all insurance clients.