Early-morning fire damages Regina Battery Depot building

Firefighters in Regina battled a large fire at a commercial building early Tuesday morning.

Deputy Fire Chief Gord Hewitt said fire crews were first notified of the blaze at 2:25 a.m. Fire crews arrived to find the Regina Battery Depot had erupted in flames.

“Obviously, the nature of the business is a concern, and the toxic smoke,” said Hewitt. “We are just making sure we are taking all precautions to keep our staff safe and then the public safe.”

The warehouse on the backside of the building was heavily damaged by the flames, collapsing in charred ruin.

This morning on Dewdney Avenue and Winnipeg Street Battery Depot went up in flames. It’s been a busy night for Regina Fire crews responding to multiple other house fires. @CJMENews pic.twitter.com/YRfsuDxrOm

— Gillian Massie (@massie_gillian) November 28, 2023

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, CAA Saskatchewan said the fire occurred at CAA’s Regina Car Care Centre at Regina Battery Depot.

“There was extensive damage to the northeast corner of the building which is currently being demolished to ensure safety at the site,” the CAA statement said. “The remainder of the building received water and smoke damage.

“No one was in the building at the time. The business is closed until further notice.”

Hewitt said the cause of the fire had not yet been determined.

SaskPower crews cut the power in the early moments of the fire before the flames licked the power lines above the business.

One person watching the flames and smoke said they heard popping when the fire first began in the early morning.

Police issued a statement at 3:15 a.m. asking drivers and pedestrians to avoid the area of Dewdney Avenue and Winnipeg Street due to the blaze. Water from the hoses made the streets slick and the water puddles pooled into the Winnipeg Street underpass.

“We’ll work to get traffic flowing as soon as we can, but right now it’s still a very large-scale incident,” said Hewitt.

Around noon, police said Winnipeg Street had opened to drivers, but Dewdney Avenue was restricted between Winnipeg Street and Atkinson Street in both directions.

The commercial fire at Winnipeg St and Dewdney Ave is under control. Crews remain on scene for salvage and overhaul. The fire is currently under investigation. #YQR

— Regina Fire (@Regina_Fire) November 28, 2023

“The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is under investigation,” police said.

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Shortly after 8 a.m., Regina Fire & Protective Services reported the fire was under control, but noted firefighters were still on the scene to perform “salvage and overhaul” work.

Anyone with information that could assist the fire investigation was asked to contact the Regina Police Service or Crime Stoppers.

Fire damage on the backside of the Battery Depot building. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)