Carbonear Mayor wonders when burnt building will be removed

By Mark Squibb/October 28, 2022

Carbonear Mayor Frank Butt wants to know when two properties destroyed in an Easter weekend blaze will be demolished.

He asked the question of Deputy Mayor Sam Slade, who chairs the Public Works, Waste Management, and Community Services committee, during last week’s meeting.

“I know a couple of months ago we had a meeting in regard to Public Works and at that point in time, we felt strongly enough about it that we put out a demolish order,” said Slade. “From there, I don’t know where it’s to right now.”

That demolition order was approved by council back in July.

Butt asked whether there was a timeframe for the buildings to be demolished once the order is issued.

Chief administrative officer Cynthia Davis said the buildings’ owner has informed the Town that arrangements are being made to have the buildings demolished, and that hopefully it will happen in the near future.

Council did not make a decision on the matter, other than to put it on the agenda for the next Public Works committee meeting, which was to be held the next day.

Two people were displaced as their apartments were destroyed by the fire, and a small business storefront, The Sewing Room, was also lost.

Provincial Fire and Emergency Services and the RCMP deemed the fire accidental.