Heritage-area apartment building up in smoke for second time this year

A fire near downtown Regina brought a sense of déjà vu Friday morning.

The blaze was at an apartment building on the corner of Halifax Street and 12th Avenue.

The same building was devastated by a fire in January.

@Regina_Fire is on the scene of a fire on Halifax and 12th. The flames are dying down. This is the same apartment building where a massive blaze destroyed about half of it this winter.@CJMENews @GregMorganCJME pic.twitter.com/aXuav7Rnms

— Dom Lucyk (@DomLucyk) March 25, 2022

The incident wasn’t as big as the one two months ago. Deputy Chief Gord Hewitt of Regina Fire and Protective Services spoke with 980 CJME shortly after the blaze was put out.

“(Crews) were able to knock the fire down fairly quickly. They weren’t able to get inside the property due to some structural integrity issues, but we do have an inspector en route,” he said shortly after 6 a.m.

The fire department was called to the apartment just before 5 a.m.

Later Friday, the fire department said the fire was caused by people who were “occupying the property,” but it wasn’t clear if the fire had been intentionally set. The building will be demolished.

The fire on Halifax street has been investigated and found to be caused by individuals occupying the property. Not know if fire was intentional. Inspectors are working with insurance and owner to have the building demolished. #YQR

— Regina Fire (@Regina_Fire) March 25, 2022