Crews Contain Fire at Middle Sackville Apartment, Hundreds Displaced

URGENT UPDATE: Crews have successfully extinguished a devastating fire at an apartment building in Middle Sackville, N.S., that displaced approximately 180 residents. The Halifax Regional Municipality confirmed that fire operations concluded around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, after more than a day of intensive work.

The fire erupted at the four-storey building located at 119 Hanwell Rd. around 12:10 a.m. on Monday. Fortunately, swift action by the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) prevented the flames from spreading to nearby structures. Officials confirmed that there were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

According to a news release from the municipality, the apartment complex consists of 64 units, impacting a significant number of families. Fire District Chief Robert Hebb told CTV News Atlantic that the initial call was reported as a deck fire.

On Tuesday, crews utilized an excavator to safely access the building and confirm that the fire was completely extinguished. Some residents have begun to retrieve their personal belongings, but the investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, with no timeline available for its completion.

Evacuation Centre Update: As a result of the fire, 139 individuals from 61 of the 64 units have registered for assistance through the Canadian Red Cross. The evacuation centre established at the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre is set to close on Wednesday for those who have not registered, although officials noted that there are currently no residents remaining in the centre.

Residents facing challenges in securing temporary accommodations are advised to reach out to the Red Cross for support. The Encounter Church of the Salvation Army is actively collecting donations for those affected by the fire, located at 51 Metropolitan Ave. in Lower Sackville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note that furniture donations are not being accepted at this time.

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