REGINA -- The Regina Fire Department has barricaded a derelict building deemed too unsafe to enter. The barricade has also forced the partial closure of 11 Avenue.
The building is located at the corner of 11 Avenue and Toronto Street.
Regina Fire and Protective Services was notified of integrity issues with the building over the weekend. Officials determined the building was unsafe for crews to enter.
“Our crews arrived and evaluated that yes the roof had started to collapse and has a bulge out at the side of the building,” said Neil Sundeen, the deputy chief of Regina Fire and Protective Services.
“It was deemed totally unsafe for anybody to go in,” he said.
One residence was evacuated due to the building’s instability. Regina Fire said Mobile Crisis will be assisting this family.
A barrier now surrounds the building until it can be torn down.
“If it were to collapse, those walls could budge out and with the debris flying around and stuff, it definitely is a safety hazard, which is why the fencing is around,” Sundeen said.
“We’ve asked people not to drive or get close to the area. There’s a collapse zone that has been established by our fire marshall, who has determined the collapse zone. We’ve cordoned off the area that could be affected.”
Sundeen said the city is working with the owner of the building to have it torn down but did not give an estimated timeline of when that will be or when the street will re-open.
Regina Fire is asking everyone to avoid the area due to the instability of the building and the dangers it presents
