Fire destroys vacant downtown building

​3:00 p.m. Update

Due to the instability of the building, demolition of the Lethbridge Hotel will begin this afternoon with heavy equipment. Fire and Emergency Services remain on scene to monitor and extinguish hot spots as needed. The site will be fenced off and debris will be hauled away.  We ask that the public please avoid the area as this important work continues.

Fire crews remain on the scene of a fire in Downtown Lethbridge and public are asked to avoid the area of 2 Avenue and 5 Street South as work continues. Due to extreme temperatures, extensive ice buildup could compromise the structure of the building making the area unsafe for public at this time.

At approximately 2:15 a.m., Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services crews responded from four stations with 28 members to a structure fire in the 200 block of 5 Street South. Upon arrival, the vacant building was showing visible flames from the upper levels and crews quickly worked to extinguish the blaze.

The building sustained extensive damage and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Vacant buildings face a number of risks during the time they are unoccupied, including the risk of trespassing and fire. Lethbridge Fire reminds all property owners of the importance of safely securing vacant buildings. This includes residential homes, garages and commercial properties.

A fire in a vacant property is not only a threat to that structure but also jeopardize surrounding buildings and the lives of members of the public and firefighters.

For more information on protecting vacant buildings from fire, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 403-320-3811 or fireprevention@lethbridge.ca.