Crews contracted by the City of Cranbrook have started the demolition work on the former Knight’s Hall on Friday, December 29, which was damaged and deemed structurally unsafe, following a fire on December 19.

The cost of the demolition work will be charged to the property owners.

The fire investigation will take place as the demolition proceeds, as the buildings structural integrity has prohibited investigators from entering the structure. Support from the British Columbia Office of the Fire Commissioner has arrived and is advising local investigators.

Drivers are asked to please detour around the area once the work begins in the interest of public safety. Traffic can detour around the closure by using Leask Avenue West. Please obey any signage or the direction of any staff on site during this work.

On December 22, Cranbrook city council adopted a resolution under ss. 72, 73, 74 and 79 of the Community Charter, SBC 2003, c. 26 declaring that the building is a nuisance, that council considers that it creates an unsafe condition, and that by December 27, 2023 the owner of the Property must completely demolish the building so that there are no remaining erect walls (the “remedial action requirement”). The owner had the opportunity to ask for council reconsideration.

The owner did not exercise his right for reconsideration; thus, the city is moving forward with the demolition and fire investigation.

Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services responded to the structure fire at the Knight’s Hall in the early hours of Tuesday, December 19. At the time of the fire, there was no heat or power in the building, due to the considerable damage caused by a fire at this location in November of 2022.

The building was under an order to be secured from entry since November and deemed unsafe for occupancy since the time of the last fire.

City of Cranbrook file photos

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