Prince Rupert's night sky took on an orange glow shortly after 7 pm tonight, as once again the downtown area was witness to a fire at the Inlander Hotel, the second time that fire fighters have had to attend that structure in one month.
Prince Rupert Fire Rescue responded to the fully developed fire scene by 7:10 pm, while RCMP members blocked off the surrounding streets of the area. While they were taking to their tasks, numerous onlookers began to gather in the downtown core to watch as the fire department once again tackled the complicated and dangerous matter of trying to put a fire out in the labyrinth like building.
As the fire department unrolled their hoses and began the process of fighting the fire, the black billowing smoke could be seen from as far away as Park Avenue to the west and Hays Cove to the East. Closer to the fire scene, the definitive orange glow was visible for blocks with embers drifting across Second Avenue west, while smoke poured out of almost every available opening of the building.
This second fire takes place one month to the day of February's fire, which resulted in all of the tenants at the long time fixture on Second Avenue being relocated to other accommodations.
The cause of the original fire is still under investigation, destined now to be but a small part of a larger file on the much discussed downtown hotel, which may or may not be still standing by morning.
Photos from Rupertites watching the ongoing situation have started to appear on hackingthemainframe highlighting the scale of fire and with commentary reflecting the atmosphere in the downtown core as the fire continued to burn.
Video submissions have begun to appear on You Tube as well, 001, 002.
Update: By late Wednesday eveing a good portion of the front facade of the building had fallen as well as the right corner side of the building. The Northern View posted a short piece with updated details at 10 pm.
CBC News provided coverage from their website with a short story and many comments on the history of the Inlander.
Showing posts with label Inlander fire Feb 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inlander fire Feb 2009. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Inlander may yet rise again
The investigation continues into the blaze last week at the Inlander Hotel, but some of the findings thus far aren't adding up to an accidental incident. While the work is not complete in assessing the cause of the fire, the origin of it is such that it has raised concerns that it was not just bad luck that caused the blaze.
At the moment the building is considered to be not habitable, but it has not been condemned. The owner has been instructed that should the required upgrades be completed, then it could once again provide living accommodations for local residents.
A fate that more than a few residents might find hard to believe considering the history of the building in the downtown area.
The fire which required the work of thirteen firefighters to knock down, left a number of residents in search of new accommodations for the time being, but there may yet be life left in that downtown location.
At the moment the building is considered to be not habitable, but it has not been condemned.
The owner has been instructed that should the required upgrades be completed, then it could once again provide living accommodations for local residents.
A fate that more than a few residents might find hard to believe considering the history of the building and the frequent attention it has received from city council over the years.
A fate that more than a few residents might find hard to believe considering the history of the building and the frequent attention it has received from city council over the years.
The Daily News provided details on the latest developments on the Inlander in Thursday's paper.
Cause of the Inlander fire is still being investigated
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Thursday, February 12, 2009
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Pages one and two
Could the Inlander fire that forced at least six Rupertites to find new shelter have been deliberate?
According to the city's top fire officer Ron Miller, an initial investigation by the Prince Rupert Fire Department after the Inlander hotel corner-unit burned last week has led fire officers to believe it was suspicious.
"Basically, it boils down to the location and the area of origin was in a location that would not normally have ignition sources," said Miller.
What makes the fire suspicious was that it started in a location that normally a fire would not start in and that the fire department wasn't able to clearly define what started the fire. Almost any such fire would require further investigation.
Miller was careful not to say there was anything more to the investigation, other than to say there are unanswered questions about the cause of the fire. He said that after his deputy chief had completed the investigation with the RCMP on scene, it was determined that police investigators would continue the investigation.
Anyone near or living in the building would be interviewed during the follow-up.
"Certainly, the police - who may have already done this - would conduct interviews with people who were in the area and see what they can find," added Miller.
At this point, Miller said that the hotel is not habitable, but it has not been condemned.
The fire began in a bottom corner unit of the hotel at about 2:40 p.m. last Wednesday. Because it started on the bottom floor of the building, the smoke filled the halls and each floor and created extensive smoke damage.
"The heat and smoke damage was throughout the building and especially the smoke damage and because the fire began in the basement of course fire goes up," said Miller.
The owner of the building has been informed that if certain upgrades are carried out to the Inlander, the building could possibly be made ready for the residential living units in the building to be reoccupied.
According to Miller, 13 fire officers in total responded to the fire.
None of the firefighters were injured during the battle with the blaze and no occupants were hurt either.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The search begins for shelter for the Inlander's residents
With much of the talk around the Inlander suggesting that it's days as resident hotel are behind it, the push now is on to try and find some form of housing for the former residents of the downtown hotel/apartments.
Last week's fire forced the few locals that called the building home to begin the search for a new place to live, a process that social service officials suggest will be a struggle to do on a long term basis.
The Inlander had become a refuge of last resort for many and with it's closure and the debate over its future set to begin, those former residents now must move on to a new and unfamiliar routine for their days.
The Daily News sought out a few of the former residents for their thoughts on the demise of their old home, providing some background on the state of housing for those on the unseen side of the city's rental process.
Residents look back at the Inlander
Building hit by fire was home to many during the city's long history
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Monday, February 09, 2009
Pages one and five
After being damaged by fire last week, the Inlander may have seen its final days.
For some in Prince Rupert that is a sad fact. For others, who have complained that it is an eyesore, that may be a blessing.
While some Rupertites may have begrudged the existence of the building, others have valued it and the shelter it has provided and for its residents, it has simply been home.
For one Rupertite it has been home for a long time.
It was a home for lifetime Rupert resident Donald Hill, 38, since 1984 when he moved in. Back then, he said, the place was hard to heat, much to his landlord's dismay.
"When I first moved in, there was only cold water in my room and the landlord did all he could to fix it but there was nothing he could do," said Hill. Later, Hill moved to another room and has been located on the third floor since.
Hill is unemployed and on welfare. He admits that his situation is much of his own doing.
He used to work in the Atlin Fishery Plant until it closed down in 1986 and he has not worked steady since but he has returned to school in the meantime, finishing Grade 8 math and says he is filling out paperwork to begin courses at Hecate Strait.
Hill says he'll miss his home if it is condemned.
Inside, he has a picture of the time he met Bobby Hull at Zellers a few years ago.
"That's my most prized possession," said Hill.
He also has a stack of 200 VHS tapes of movies and Rock'n"Roll concerts and his 25-inch TV he would like to get back before any decision is made.
But Hill has not been left completely alone, individuals in the community have stepped up to help out.
Emergency Services BC came forward for those affected by the fire, donating $200 for each of the six people who had been left without a home.
The money was to be used for clothing purposes, none more important than the underwear and socks Hill had already purchased with the money by Thursday afternoon.
And the money was also meant for accommodation at a hotel - which would normally last three days but because of the All-Native Basketball Tournament other accommodation had to be found.
For now, Hill will be staying at the Salvation Army shelter, according to Capt. Gary Sheils.
Two Inlander inhabitants have been given accommodation with BC Housing, two have found their own accommodation, one is with family and Hill is being housed temporarily at the shelter.
But Sheils worried about the long-term future for those who have not found stable accommodation.
"These people are hard to house and so it's going to be difficult to find long-term accommodation for them but we are going to try," added Sheils.
Last week's fire forced the few locals that called the building home to begin the search for a new place to live, a process that social service officials suggest will be a struggle to do on a long term basis.
The Inlander had become a refuge of last resort for many and with it's closure and the debate over its future set to begin, those former residents now must move on to a new and unfamiliar routine for their days.
The Daily News sought out a few of the former residents for their thoughts on the demise of their old home, providing some background on the state of housing for those on the unseen side of the city's rental process.
Residents look back at the Inlander
Building hit by fire was home to many during the city's long history
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Monday, February 09, 2009
Pages one and five
After being damaged by fire last week, the Inlander may have seen its final days.
For some in Prince Rupert that is a sad fact. For others, who have complained that it is an eyesore, that may be a blessing.
While some Rupertites may have begrudged the existence of the building, others have valued it and the shelter it has provided and for its residents, it has simply been home.
For one Rupertite it has been home for a long time.
It was a home for lifetime Rupert resident Donald Hill, 38, since 1984 when he moved in. Back then, he said, the place was hard to heat, much to his landlord's dismay.
"When I first moved in, there was only cold water in my room and the landlord did all he could to fix it but there was nothing he could do," said Hill. Later, Hill moved to another room and has been located on the third floor since.
Hill is unemployed and on welfare. He admits that his situation is much of his own doing.
He used to work in the Atlin Fishery Plant until it closed down in 1986 and he has not worked steady since but he has returned to school in the meantime, finishing Grade 8 math and says he is filling out paperwork to begin courses at Hecate Strait.
Hill says he'll miss his home if it is condemned.
Inside, he has a picture of the time he met Bobby Hull at Zellers a few years ago.
"That's my most prized possession," said Hill.
He also has a stack of 200 VHS tapes of movies and Rock'n"Roll concerts and his 25-inch TV he would like to get back before any decision is made.
But Hill has not been left completely alone, individuals in the community have stepped up to help out.
Emergency Services BC came forward for those affected by the fire, donating $200 for each of the six people who had been left without a home.
The money was to be used for clothing purposes, none more important than the underwear and socks Hill had already purchased with the money by Thursday afternoon.
And the money was also meant for accommodation at a hotel - which would normally last three days but because of the All-Native Basketball Tournament other accommodation had to be found.
For now, Hill will be staying at the Salvation Army shelter, according to Capt. Gary Sheils.
Two Inlander inhabitants have been given accommodation with BC Housing, two have found their own accommodation, one is with family and Hill is being housed temporarily at the shelter.
But Sheils worried about the long-term future for those who have not found stable accommodation.
"These people are hard to house and so it's going to be difficult to find long-term accommodation for them but we are going to try," added Sheils.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Residents seek relocation while investigation continues into Inlander Fire
The residents of the Inlander have begun the process of seeking out alternative accommodations, victims of Wednesday's fire that caused extensive damage to the downtown hotel residence.
The subject of much controversy over the last few years, the Inlander it would seem is effectively closed for business for the foreseeable future, back in 2004 the building's owner was provided with a repair or demolish order, providing for a thirty day window for the necessary repairs required by the Fire code to be taken care of.
As history has shown those repairs apparently were completed allowing the business to continue to function, though the owner would have a few more run ins with city council over the state of the building over the years.
What remains to be seen is if the Fire on Wednesday was the final chapter of the building's history or if it will once again reopen for business.
The Friday Daily News outlined some of the background on Wednesday's fire and the past history of the controversial structure.
Fire damage contained to one floor but smoke damage is extensive
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Friday, February 6, 2009
Pages one and two
The Prince Rupert Fire Department is investigating the cause of the Inlander fire that broke mid Wednesday afternoon.
According to Fire Department Chief Ron Miller, all occupants of the hotel residence were evacuated and are currently staying at an undisclosed location.
Miller did report, however, that six occupants of the hotel had been provided with alternate shelter.
"The fire damage was contained to the bottom floor of the building but heavy smoke damage was found throughout the building," said Miller in a press release.
Miller said that 16 firefighters responded to the emergency call along with members of the local RCMP detachment, BC Ambulance, BC Hydro, Pacific Northern Gas and Emergency Social Service.
The fire broke out some lime before 2:40 p.m. and immediately drew both a crowd of onlookers and rescue teams to the scene.
About four-and-half years ago, the building was brought to the attention of council because of the deteriorating condition of the its exterior.
Some of the residents living in the Inlander at the time of the blaze have been relocated to the Highliner Hotel where they will have until tonight to find other accommodation.
On April 4, 2004, the building was inspected by Deputy Fire Chief Jim Martin and was deemed at the time to be in need of some repair work.
Martin reported at that time that the building was in violation of the Section 21 of the fire code and needed fire separation material in the boiler room and in all occupied residential units, non-rated doors between occupied units and corridors.
At the time, the owner was ordered to repair the building or demolish it within 30 days.
Eventually, due to the diminishing condition of the exterior, city council then deemed the building as a "nuisance" but made it clear that they were not in the position to tell an owner how to make the building appear on the exterior.
The city's building inspector Allan Scott said that the building has been designated a hotel-residence and has been inspected to ensure that it was livable and said it had eventually received the safety upgrades needed to allow people to live inside.
"Of course, the biggest problem with the Inlander is that you have low-income people living there who have been kicked out of other housing programs and the Inlander is sort of a last stop before the street," said Scott.
According to BC Assessment, the $282,200-building is listed as a bar and tavern.
The subject of much controversy over the last few years, the Inlander it would seem is effectively closed for business for the foreseeable future, back in 2004 the building's owner was provided with a repair or demolish order, providing for a thirty day window for the necessary repairs required by the Fire code to be taken care of.
As history has shown those repairs apparently were completed allowing the business to continue to function, though the owner would have a few more run ins with city council over the state of the building over the years.
What remains to be seen is if the Fire on Wednesday was the final chapter of the building's history or if it will once again reopen for business.
The Friday Daily News outlined some of the background on Wednesday's fire and the past history of the controversial structure.
Fire damage contained to one floor but smoke damage is extensive
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Friday, February 6, 2009
Pages one and two
The Prince Rupert Fire Department is investigating the cause of the Inlander fire that broke mid Wednesday afternoon.
According to Fire Department Chief Ron Miller, all occupants of the hotel residence were evacuated and are currently staying at an undisclosed location.
Miller did report, however, that six occupants of the hotel had been provided with alternate shelter.
"The fire damage was contained to the bottom floor of the building but heavy smoke damage was found throughout the building," said Miller in a press release.
Miller said that 16 firefighters responded to the emergency call along with members of the local RCMP detachment, BC Ambulance, BC Hydro, Pacific Northern Gas and Emergency Social Service.
The fire broke out some lime before 2:40 p.m. and immediately drew both a crowd of onlookers and rescue teams to the scene.
About four-and-half years ago, the building was brought to the attention of council because of the deteriorating condition of the its exterior.
Some of the residents living in the Inlander at the time of the blaze have been relocated to the Highliner Hotel where they will have until tonight to find other accommodation.
On April 4, 2004, the building was inspected by Deputy Fire Chief Jim Martin and was deemed at the time to be in need of some repair work.
Martin reported at that time that the building was in violation of the Section 21 of the fire code and needed fire separation material in the boiler room and in all occupied residential units, non-rated doors between occupied units and corridors.
At the time, the owner was ordered to repair the building or demolish it within 30 days.
Eventually, due to the diminishing condition of the exterior, city council then deemed the building as a "nuisance" but made it clear that they were not in the position to tell an owner how to make the building appear on the exterior.
The city's building inspector Allan Scott said that the building has been designated a hotel-residence and has been inspected to ensure that it was livable and said it had eventually received the safety upgrades needed to allow people to live inside.
"Of course, the biggest problem with the Inlander is that you have low-income people living there who have been kicked out of other housing programs and the Inlander is sort of a last stop before the street," said Scott.
According to BC Assessment, the $282,200-building is listed as a bar and tavern.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Wednesday's Inlander fire forces residents to relocate
Officially, only five people are reported to have been affected by the hire in the downtown residences known as the Inlander, however that's a figure that few actually believe, as it's been said that there were probably more than those five "official" residents taking shelter in that particular building in the downtown core.
Regardless of the actual number though, the fact is, that after Wednesday afternoons fire, all , official or not, will be looking for new accommodations for the foreseeable future.
The blaze which broke out in the lower reaches behind the sprawling structure resulted in much in the way of smoke and water damage to the building, sending the residents to the streets and now seeking a new home.
Most will be relocated to the Raffles, some apparently reluctantly, as the various social agencies find them shelter and provisions after the controversial downtown hotel suffered what is described as badly damaged.
The Daily News provided some background on the fire and the uncertain aftermath for the residents as their front page headline story on Thursday, the Northern View provided an update as well posted to their website.
FLAMES DRIVE OUT RESIDENTS AS INLANDER IS HIT BY FIRE
Low-rent building is badly damaged but all residents understood to have made it out
BY GEORGE T. BAKER
BY GEORGE T. BAKER
The Daily News
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Pages one and two
At about 2:30 p.m. yesterday, the lower east unit of the Inlander was engulfed in a two-alarm blaze.
Fire fighters were on scene immediately and responded quickly to put the fire out with many Rupertites looking on at the Second Avenue building.
According to an Inlander resident named Donald - who requested his last name be withheld - the fire began on a couch and spread quickly over to cabinets and the hallway.
"The fire alarm was going off and I checked upstairs and then downstairs at the very bottom basement level and looked down the hallway and the furniture was on fire and the dresser was on fire," said Donald.
He then yelled, "there is a fire!" and according to him the fire department was then notified right away.
While he did not know what started it, he said that the fire spread quickly.
Donald, who has lived on the third floor of the building since 2000, said that the smoke from the fire billowing out of the bottom two windows were noticed by residents of the building right away.
According to Mayor Jack Mussallem, the building is only coded to allow up to five people inside at any time.
The Inlander is the combination of two old hotels, with only one half allowed for residential living and the other half empty.
Mussallem said those living there have had an option to depart but were unwilling to do so.
"Those living there have been told they can move to Raffles but they have said they preferred to stay (at the Inlander) because it was a more central location," said Mussallem.
"Those living there have been told they can move to Raffles but they have said they preferred to stay (at the Inlander) because it was a more central location," said Mussallem.
Some observers said there may be more than five people inside at any given time.
Former city street outreach worker Myles Moreau said he estimated that there used to be 100 people staying inside on any given night and, while he has heard there are fewer now, he said he would expcct that there are more than five pcoplc sleeping there.
Moreau has been inside the building oftcn, working with some of the residents. Moreau said that he was unimpressed with the building's structure.
"I used go in there quite a bit in fact," said Moreau.
According to him, one of his client's rooms had a big container at her door full of bleach so that people could clean their rigs and there were holes punched above her ceiling.
"I had to go in there and do an interview once and it was pretty gross."
When asked if he felt the Inlander was a safe place to live, Donald said:
"No, I don't think so. It is sort-of all wood inside and it could have been a lot worse today."
Firefighters respond to Inlander blaze
By Shaun Thomas
The Northern View
Published: February 04, 2009 4:00 PM
Updated: February 05, 2009 11:15 AM
.
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Some 16 members of the Prince Rupert Fire Department responded to a fire at the Inlander Hotel at 2:40 p.m. on February 4, where they discovered smoke billowing from the building and a fire blazing on the bottom floor at the rear of the building.
The firefighters evacuated all occupants from the building and began to battle the blaze. The flames were quickly extinguished and, while the fire was contained to the bottom floor of the building, heavy smoke damage was found throughout the building. There is, however, no estimate of damage at this time. The flames were quickly extinguished and, while the fire was contained to the bottom floor of the building, heavy smoke damage was found throughout the building. There is, however, no estimate of damage at this time.
Fortunately there were no injuries reported as everyone made it safely from the building. An emergency reception area was set up by Prince Rupert Emergency Social Services and six evacuees were provided with alternate shelter.
As well as the emergency personnel, including the RCMP and the B.C. Ambulance Service, employees of B.C. Hydro and Pacific Northern Gas attended the scene to ensure the utilities were shut off to avoid any further damage.
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