Abandoned buildings are at a greater risk for fire, deterioration and criminal activity.
That’s why city fire, police and bylaw officers work together to monitor the 10 abandoned buildings throughout Thunder Bay. A building is considered abandoned when the owner simply walks away from responsibility.
It’s different than the 30 vacant buildings in the city, which still have owners looking after them.
“(Most owners are) very responsible people. Just because they’re on our list doesn’t mean they’re irresponsible,” said bylaw manager Ron Bourret.
With vacant buildings, it’s the owner’s responsibility to make sure that they are secure. Fire officials remind owners to also remove all combustibles and even cut utilities to lower the risk of fires.
“They can also do the common sense actions such as maintaining appearance of use that would be emptying the mailbox, making sure the paper isn’t piling up,” fire prevention director Marty Patterson.
As for abandoned buildings, such as the former Empire Hotel, Bourret said the city ends up looking after them, a process that’s costly and time consuming.
Bills for things like boarding up windows is included with the tax arrears that an abandoned building may have, but owners aren’t around to pay them. The integrated municipal enforcement team is looking into having signs posted on abandoned buildings so emergency workers know what they’re getting into.
“The risk is greater because there is no maintenance,” Patterson said.
