Update - structure fire in Middle Sackville - Sept. 15, 6 p.m.

The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following update regarding the structure fire at an apartment building at 119 Hanwell Drive, Middle Sackville.

There are 64 units in the apartment building, with approximately 180 residents. The municipality can confirm that no one was injured as a result of the fire. As well, due to the swift response by Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE), the fire was prevented from spreading to an adjacent building.

Evacuation order lifted

All residents from the area affected by the evacuation order were advised they could return to their homes starting at 7:30 a.m. today, except for those living at 119 Hanwell Drive. That building remains unsafe to enter due to extensive damage.

Evacuation centre

An evacuation centre was opened at the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre, 266 Lakeview Avenue, Middle Sackville, to assist any residents impacted by the fire. The Red Cross started in-person registration at 7 a.m. today and as of 4 p.m., families from 43 of the 64 units in the apartment building had registered. Of the 43 units registered, there is a total of over 90 residents.

Anyone who has not yet registered is strongly encouraged to do so.

There are currently no residents at the Evacuation Centre; however, it will remain open today until 7 p.m., after which time it will close for the night. It will reopen tomorrow at 8 a.m. and remain open until 3 p.m.

Residents experiencing difficulty securing short-term accommodations are encouraged to contact the Red Cross through the Evacuation Centre for assistance.

Safety assessment of the building & investigation

HRFE will remain on the scene overnight to monitor the building as there are hot spots.

HRFE will continue to provide updates directly to the owner, as soon as new information becomes available. The owner will share information with residents regarding the status of their units.

Currently, there is no timeline for when residents will be able to return to retrieve personal belongings. Due to extensive structural damage and ongoing safety assessments, it is not yet possible to determine when, or if, safe access to individual units or the underground parkade will be permitted.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and there is currently no estimated timeline for when the investigation will be complete.

Halifax Transit operations

Routes 83/183 are still on detour, bypassing the subdivision due to the fire, given firefighting operations are still underway in the vicinity of 119 Hanwell Drive. 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.

Donations

The Encounter Church of the Salvation Army is collecting donations for those impacted by the fire. This includes:

• non-perishable food
• clothing
• hygiene products

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

Additional information and guidance 

People are still asked to avoid the area around 119 Hanwell Drive as firefighting operations are still underway.

There is still smoke in the area, so local residents are advised to stay inside and turn off air exchangers due to air quality.

Residents are encouraged to register for hfxALERT, the municipality's mass notification system to receive urgent and non-urgent public alerts by phone, email or text.    

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available and shared via Bluesky at @hfxgov.bsky.social, Facebook at @hfxgov and Instagram at @hfxmoments.