The Office of the Fire Commissioner and the RCMP have completed their investigation of the Forest View Suites. Damage is extensive on the fifth floor, as well as smoke damage throughout the building.

 

Thompson Fire and Emergency Services have deemed the building unsafe until critical repairs are done and several fire code violations are addressed: the building will not be re-opened to residents until then.

 

Fire code violations have been an ongoing issue in the Forest View Suites North Tower for several months, and the owner of the facility has incurred $8, 004 in fines as of August 20. TFES has found a number of deficiencies in the building both before and after the fire that contributed to both the severity of the fire itself, and the potential for injury or loss-of-life:

 

•  MFC 2.2.2.4: Closures in fire separations were not maintained in good working order, including repairs to common hallways and ceilings.
• MFC 2.7.1.6: Paths of exit were not in good repair, nor free from obstructions.
•  MFC 2.2.1.2: Fire separations in the building were not properly maintained.
•  MFC 6.3.1.1: The fire alarm system is currently inoperable. No alarm reached the fire hall that evening: TFES was only alerted by phone calls from residents.
• MFC 2.5.1.1: Fire extinguishers were absent from their assigned locations.
• MFC 2.7.3.1: Emergency lighting was broken or absent.
• MFC 2.7.3.1: Many exit signs were not illuminated.
• MFC 2.7.1.1: The elevators are out of order.
• MFC 2.4.1.1: Combustible materials were stored in the electrical room, when no combustible materials are to be stored within 4 feet of the room.

The building has been turned back over to Armour Management, who will be responsible for securing the building and allowing occupants to retrieve belongings.

 

Armour Management will also be responsible for ensuring the building is brought up to fire codes before the building can re-open.

 

The City of Thompson, Manitoba Emergency Social Services, and other partners are providing 72-hour emergency relief for evacuated occupants in, including food, lodging, and other emergency essentials.

 

“With the state of the North Tower being what it is, I can’t stress enough how extremely lucky we are not to have lost a life in this fire,” said Director of Fire and Public Safety Mike Bourgon.

 

“To allow residents to return to the building before these issues are fixed would be to put hundreds of lives back in immediate risk."