City Says They Issued Evacuation Order Regarding Stadacona Apartments
Submitted by the City of Moose Jaw
October 3, 2023
MOOSE JAW, SK- On Monday, October 2nd, 2023, City of Moose Jaw Building Officials and the Moose Jaw Fire Department, with the assistance of Moose Jaw Police Service, conducted an inspection of the apartment complex.
During the inspection, officials noted numerous fire code violations and determined there were no life saving measures currently in operation. The City has started the process of contacting the registered owner of the property.
Following the inspection, today the City of Moose Jaw and Moose Jaw Fire Department executed an emergency evacuation of an apartment building on the corner of Stadacona Street and 1st Avenue N.W.
The order was issued due to imminent safety risks to the current tenants and occupants in accordance with the Fire Safety Act.
In addition to a lack of safety equipment, the inspection revealed a gas leak and build up resulting in the valve being shut off.
Other safety risks noted include windows that cannot be opened, deteriorating exterior flooring on fire escapes, suites that do not have doors or locks, and accumulation of combustibles, some of which are blocking emergency exits.
Also, gas to the entire building has been shut off, and power has been turned off to the common areas of the apartment building.
With no way to notify people in the building of imminent danger, all occupants are in the process of being evacuated for safety reasons.
The official evacuation order went into effect Tuesday afternoon October 3rd, 2023, to allow occupants time to gather their personal belongings and coordinate an alternate residence.
Those impacted will be able to return at a later date to gather their remaining items.
The occupants of the apartment building have been offered services to immediately relocate through Social Services.
The John Howard Society is offering additional support with hygiene packs, food and clothing donations and the Moose Jaw Housing Authority is providing applications for available housing units.
The Moose Jaw Police Service’s PACT (Police and Crisis Team) and Community Paramedics were also in attendance and providing service during the evacuation.
The City offered a registration system within a transit unit for all agencies to use to assist and give further services to all occupants.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can drop off items at the John Howard Society at 15 Hochelaga Street West and donations will be sorted by size and handed off to those in need.
The City of Moose Jaw and Moose Jaw Fire Department’s first and foremost priority is the safety and well- being of all residents.
Therefore prompt immediate action was taken when this safety risk was identified.
EDITOR’S NOTE - Following MJ Independent breaking this story the City of Moose Jaw called a short notice press conference.
Due to the fact MJ Independent is pre-booked for a cross country running event we are unable to attend as we could not reschedule.