Investigation on hold: Cause of blaze at former LPH still undetermined
The City of London, Ont. and fire officials said it will be some time before they know whether a building that burned down on the grounds of the former London Psychiatric Hospital over the weekend can be saved.
On Monday, crews were back dousing hot spots at the former recreation centre, according to London Fire Department Platoon Chief Kirk Loveland.
“Could be some spot fires from some of the debris still in the basement that may, with this wind, spark up again,” said Loveland. “So we just come in and hit those hot spots.”
Fencing has gone up around the site, and private security is close at hand.
The building, now a shell of brick with archway type openings for windows, looks like a burned out hollow shell.
Crews were called to the property on Highbury Avenue North early Saturday evening.
They fought the blaze through the night, facing great challenges because of the lack of onsite water.
With the hydrants long ago decommissioned, crews had to fetch water from Highbury Avenue and shuttle it in to the sprawling site by tanker truck.
A photo taken on March 20, 2023, showing damage done to the recreation building at the former London Psychiatric Hospital after a fire broke out on March 18, 2023. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
There’s no word on how or where in the building the fire started, and it could be some time before investigators can make any determinations.
Loveland said the investigation is on hold until an engineer can examine the site for structural integrity.
“The investigation is on hold until we can get people inside the building. We can’t get people in the building until we can determine either it’s structurally sound, or parts have to come down. Then we can get in and do some more digging, and having a look around,” said Loveland.
The province sold the property to developer Old Oak Properties in 2019.
It’s been slated for re-development for upwards of two-thousand housing units, according to London city council Planning and Environment Committee Chair Steve Lehman.
He said he’s hoping the weekend fire hasn’t stalled any plans.
“I’m certain all parties want to move forward as quickly as possible so I do not anticipate a delay in this, because if there was I’d push against it, because as I said, housing is critical, and this project in the east end I think is so important on so many levels,” said Lehman.
A photo taken on March 20, 2023, showing damage done to the recreation building at the former London Psychiatric Hospital after a fire broke out on March 18, 2023. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
In a statement to CTV News, Old Oak Properties said it’s working with the fire department to ensure the safety of the site.
In the statement, Vice President of Operations Robert Bierbaum said “Old Oak values the history of this site, since acquiring the land we have put in place both physical measures to secure all historic buildings, and live 24/7 monitoring. This live monitoring allowed us to quickly notify the London Fire Department at the first signs of a fire. Old Oak is committed to working with the municipality to ensure this building and any others of historic importance are incorporated with any future development in a way that pays respect to its heritage.”
In the meantime, Lehman said the property would have to be re-examined for its heritage value.
“After the fire professionals do their job, there will probably be a heritage reassessment. Heritage folks will have to look and see what’s there and make recommendations to city hall,” added Lehman.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.