Apartment fire in Hawkesbury, Ont. costs municipality $1 million

A photo of a fire burning in an apartment building in Hawkesbury, Ont. Nov. 30, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Jesse Lamantia)

A fire that damaged an apartment building in Hawkesbury, Ont. and displaced dozens of residents has cost the municipality more than $1 million.

The fire broke out in the building at 810 Portelance Avenue during the night of Nov. 29 and 30. The fire affected all 30 units in the social housing building, which was home to 54 residents at the time of the fire.

Staff say only 11 of the 30 affected units had tenant insurance.

A report for the United Counties of Prescott and Russell says the municipality has spent $1 million since the fire, including expenses for hotel accommodations, building restoration costs and the removal of the tenants’ belongings.

Staff say insurance will cover $408,758 of the costs, including the restoration costs and the loss of rental income due to the damage.

The remaining money will be covered by the United Counties of Prescott and Russell budget, to be split between the 2025 and 2026 municipal budgets.

Costs

The report says 17 households, representing 30 adults and children, were temporarily housed in hotels between Nov. 30, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026. The municipality spent $128,591 on hotel accommodations, Red Cross assistance, transportation and direct financial assistance.

Staff say the municipality spent $162,844 to remove tenants’ belongings from the building, and there were $143,000 in legal expenses related to the fire.

The costs include $238,000 for security and access control to the building following the fire and $219,692 to restore the building.

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