NEWS RELEASE

Emergency Measures Operations have been Scaled Back

(Friday May 1, 2009 7:30pm) - The fire in the Herring Cove and Purcell's Cove area has been extinguished, Emergency Measures Operations have been scaled back, and the Captain William Spry evacuation Center has been closed.

Fire and Police officials will be monitoring the situation overnight and maintaining the security of the area. We are asking for the cooperation of the public to refrain from entering the area as access remains limited to residents only.

Non-residents are advised that Purcell's Cove Road is closed between Oceanview Drive and the Look-off, however, residents of the area are able to access their homes. Access to all homes north of Aaron's Way and Fortress Drive is through the Police check point at Oceanview Drive. Glen Kairn Dr and Holy Stone on the Sea Rd can only be accessed from the community of Herring Cove. Fortress Drive & Aaron's Way remain closed to all traffic. Halifax Regional Police Officers will be checking identification of residents to ensure only citizens who live in the area are permitted access. There will be no bus service on Purcell's Cove road until further notice.

Most residents who were evacuated during the fire have returned home. The residents of two streets, Fortress Drive & Aaron's Way, remain evacuated. They will be individually contacted by HRM mid-day Saturday to be provided with a status update. Fire suppression efforts will continue during the day tomorrow.

HRM's Call Center can be reached at 490-4000 from 7:00am to 11:00pm every day. Information will continue to be updated at www.halifax.ca as necessary.

All media inquiries are being directed to Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency at 490-5666.

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