Fire ravaged Lethbridge Hotel expected to be demolished starting this week

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on July 25, 2023.

Herald photo by Al Beeber Demolition is expected to begin this week on what remains of the Lethbridge Hotel, which was destroyed by fire on Feb. 24.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

City residents can soon expect to see another space downtown where a building once stood.

A permit has been issued by the City of Lethbridge for the demolition of the Lethbridge Hotel which was destroyed by fire on Feb. 24.

Work on the demolition is expected to begin this week and will require closures of sidewalks and roads.

The City says specifics of the closures will be determined as work proceeds at the site. It says drivers and pedestrians should watch for detour signs and exercise caution.

Timeline for the work’s completion is not yet known. It will be dependent upon weather and can only proceed when wind speeds are below a specific threshold because of asbestos contaminants in the building.

These contaminants will require a specialized removal process, says the City, with Occupational Health and Safety involved to ensure the safety of workers and the public.

Fire crews were alerted to the hotel blaze at 2:15 a.m. on Feb. 24. Four crews with 28 members responded to the fire and battled it in extreme cold.

An investigation showed the fire was intentionally set and a 33-year-old Lethbridge man was charged in May.