A major fire in the early hours of Thursday morning has destroyed the Bargain Shop on 101st Street in North Battleford.
The North Battleford Fire Department was called to the fire at 4:28 a.m. with two pumper trucks, one aerial truck, one command truck, a utility unit and 13 firefighters.
The Town of Battleford Fire Department assisted with the fire fight, supplying two pumper trucks, one command truck and 12 firefighters.
SaskEnergy and SaskPower also responded to terminate utility services to the building.
There were no injuries.
Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Steinborn was appreciative of the co-operation and support shown to his crew that day.
“Thank you, to the Town of Battleford Fire Department,” said Steinborn. “Their cooperation fighting this fire was an asset.
He added, “The community is to be commended in supporting our personnel, they provided us with coffee and snacks during this long fight.”
Crews remained on the scene until 2:37 p.m., a total of 10 hours.
The building was a total loss, however firefighters were able to protect the adjoining vacant building and the Fabricland buiding.
Employees from Fabricland, located next door, say their store was spared major damage. They were closed for the day, however, due to heavy smoke throughout the area.
There is no word yet on the dollar amount of damage or what caused the blaze however the investigation is underway.
The fire occurred just a day before the International Street Performer Festival was due to take place in North Battleford on that same city block on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. As a result, the festival has been moved one block north.
According to Lisa McEachern, executive director of Downtown North Battleford, the planning committee, having consulted with the City of North Battleford and the Fire and Emergency Services personnel, has moved the festival.
"It has been determined that the 12th Ave and 101st Street area should not be used as the building is not structurally sound at this time," said McEachern. "We will be moving the festival north by one block. The performance pitches for this year will be in front of City Hall and in front of the library park."
The food vendors and artisans will be located on 13th Avenue as well.
"The public’s safety was the most important factor in making the decision to move the festival for 2015," said McEachern. "We hope that everyone understands the reason for this relocation."
She added, "Our deepest sympathies for the owners and employees of the Bargain Shop. We are happy that no one was injured in this devastating fire."
Thursday, 101st Street between 11th and 12th Avenue were closed to vehicle traffic due to the fire. Pedestrian traffic was accessible on the north side sidewalk of 101st Street.
NBFD responded to a smoke report at Carousel Bingo at 6:36 p.m. Thursday. On arrival it was reported to the department by occupants that there was no smoke in the building. The call to the department was for a small smouldering area at the Bargain Shop fire. Fire crews were able to extinguish it in five minutes.
Earlier that day, at 9:36 a.m., NBFD had attended a call at 1702 Trudeau Street where smoke from cooking on a stovetop activated a smoke detector. They responded with one pumper and four fighters. There was no damage and no one was injured.
