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
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.