People forced from homes as fire rips through apartment building in Middle Sackville, N.S.

An apartment complex fire in Middle Sackville, N.S., has forced hundreds of people out of their homes.

An apartment building has been badly damaged following an overnight fire in Middle Sackville, N.S.

Emergency crews responded to the four-storey building at 119 Hanwell Dr. around 12:10 a.m. Monday.

Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency District Chief Robert Hebb says the call came in as a deck fire.

“When crews arrived they found fire moving up through the second, third and fourth floor up into the roof. By the time we had enough crews on scene to start attacking the fire it was well into the roof at this point and weather conditions were definitely a factor tonight, we had fairly brisk wind conditions that accelerated the speed of the fire,” he told CTV Atlantic.

Halifax Regional Fire says everyone was safely evacuated from the building and no injuries have been reported.

The building is close to another apartment building and dozens of homes.

Evacuation order lifted

About 300 people were evacuated from their homes overnight due to the fire.

The municipality sent out an alert at 2:30 a.m. saying the evacuation area included civic numbers 25 through to 119 Hanwell Drive.

The evacuation order was later lifted for the area.

“All residents from the area affected by the fire may return to their homes starting at 7:30 a.m. today, except for those living at 119 Hanwell Drive,” reads an 8 a.m. update from the municipality.

The municipality added the building remains unsafe to enter due to extensive damage.

“We are just making sure that all the deep-seated burning are extinguished, then it is safe for our investigators to go in and take a look at what’s going on,” said Halifax Regional Fire Assistant Chief Philip Thorburn.

“The other focus of the overhaul is crew are working on the salvage operations which is getting urgent things back to people who require them.”

Emergency officials are asking people to stay clear of the area.

Residents affected by smoke are also being advised to shelter in place, stay inside and to turn off their air exchangers.

“It was a terrible night here. I heard the fire trucks and police coming around 12:15 (a.m.) and it was just a nightmare looking over there any seeing all the flames,” said nearby resident Donna Cox.

“When the alarms went off, I thought we were having one of those false alarms like we had before,” said resident Dereck Boudreau. “The most important thing to me was my wife and I wanted to make sure she was out, and the second most important thing was my father, who’s in an urn in there and very important to me.”

Evacuation centre open

An evacuation centre has opened at the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre for any residents impacted by the fire.

The Red Cross began in-person registration at 7 a.m.

Donations accepted

The Salvation Army is asking for donations of essential items to support those affected in the fire.

Items of urgent need included:

• Bottled water and other hydration products
• Shelf-stable food
• New clothing
• Hygiene products

The organization said it will not be accepting furniture donations at this time.

Donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army Encounter Church, 51 Metropolitan Ave., Lower Sackville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Monitary donations can also be made at salvationarmy.ca.

“Residents impacted by the fire may contact The Salvation Army Encounter Church at 902-865-8010 or email [e-mail] for more information on how to register and pick up items," a release from The Salvation Army reads.

Discoloured water

Halifax Water says customers in the Lower and Middle Sackville area may experience discoloured water and/or low water pressure due to the fire.

The utility recommends customers run cold water at one faucet until the water runs clear.

Transit impacts

Halifax Transit routes 83 and 183 are on a detour and bypassing the subdivision due to the fire.

“This means there is currently no service to Beaconsfield Way, Darlington Drive, Hanwell Drive and Swindon Drive. Buses will continue straight on Sackville Drive in both directions,” reads an update from the municipality.

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Emma Convey.

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