An update on the status of the Gummer and adjacent buildings affected by the Good Friday fire.
Clean-up efforts involving the City, property owners, insurers and contractors continue following last Friday’s fire that devastated two downtown buildings and affected a number of others. Safety of the public and preservation of the limestone building facades remain key priorities for all parties.
Initial assessments of both buildings have been conducted by independent structural engineers. To date, assessments of the Gummer Building confirm there are no immediate internal or external structural issues below the damaged fourth storey. Fire damaged metal sofit, fascias and loose stone material have been removed from the upper floor due to safety concerns. A further structural assessment of the adjacent building at 67-71 Wyndham Street North is required though not yet possible due to the extent fire damage and devastation in this building.
Demolition of portions of both buildings has been delayed until next week pending a more detailed assessment of the building elements. The demolition will commence from the rear of both buildings and will only remove those portions of the buildings which have collapsed or have been destroyed by fire. Once this initial demolition work has been completed, a joint assessment of both buildings by structural engineers and City building officials will be carried out to determine if further demolition is required.
“There has been tremendous co-operation from all parties involved with the on-going assessments required for this tragedy,” said Bruce Poole, Chief Building Official. “In light of the circumstances, I am pleased with the progress of the clean-up operations to date.”
The affected site continues to be secured for the public’s safety with fencing and security personnel provided by the buildings’ owners. Douglas Street is only accessible to two-way vehicular traffic along the north end of the street off Woolwich Street for the immediate future. The sidewalk remains open to pedestrians on the west side of Douglas Street, but is closed on the east side of the street.The City and the Downtown Board of Management have partnered to erect signage and ensure that downtown merchants that remain open or have relocated due to the fire continue to maintain good visibility for their locations.