News Release
Probable Cause of Gottingen Street Fire
(Monday, March 3/2003)-A fire investigation report has been completed by HRM Fire & Emergency Services and revealed that the probable cause of the fire which occurred on 2082-2102 Gottingen Street & 5509 Falklands Street on Wednesday, February 26, 2003, was the result of activities by the contractor working on the front of the Gottingen Street complex.
The Contractor was attempting to repair the building using a material which required the use of a torch. The fire is believed to have started in the wall in the vicinity of the area where the repairs were being carried out.
Workers on the site made attempts to extinguish the fire, and made periodic checks to make sure the fire was extinguished. Because of the size of the opening, building construction, age, condition of the building, and weather conditions the fire was able to gain hold of the structure and burned for approximately 45-60 minutes before breaching through and becoming visible.
NOTE - Mike LeRue and Craig MacDonald of HRM Fire & Emergency Services will be available for comment at:
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Training Room, 1st Floor, Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Hfx.
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Contact:
Mike LeRue
Fire Prevention Manager, Halifax Regional Fire
(902) 430-3820
