Fences have been put up around the abandoned Bloomfield School in Halifax following a fire that tore through the building over the weekend.
Crews responded to the fire on Agricola Street around 1:35 a.m. on Sunday. They discovered flames on the first floor and basement of the structure.
Nearly 50 firefighters brought the fire under control by 5:45 a.m., although one building was destroyed.
The Halifax Fire Department now has control of the site. Joe Triff, member of the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters Association, said the building poses significant safety risks.
“We need to render it safe. Safe for the public, safe for the responders, and there’s significant structural issues with that building after that fire,” said Triff. “There’s issues with getting in and out of the building which makes it a death trap for firefighters and anyone from the public that goes in.”
Halifax Fire Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum said their investigation on the property has been delayed due to the structure’s heavy damage. He said they are speaking with their contractor to determine whether they need to brace the building or demolish it to move forward.
“The walls are standing largely unsupported because the roof is essentially burned away and so there is a risk of those walls collapsing,” he said.
Once their contractor determines what is needed, fire prevention will conduct field work, which includes looking for physical evidence at the site. Following those procedures, the property will be turned back to the developer who owns it.
“At that time, it will be the responsibility of the owner to make that property safe,” said Meldrum.
The Halifax Regional Municipality says Agricola Street between Almon and Ontario streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday to “assist with a fire investigation.”
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