Getting residents back home following the massive fire at a housing complex in Chatham will take at least several months, according to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
The municipality said re-entry for the residents of 99 McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham will likely be a phased process.
Municipal officials noted they continue to assess the extent of the damage and no estimated dollar value has been released yet.
They said an official order has been given to not allow residents back in the building until it is made safe through remediation and repair.
The municipality said the exact timeline for the return of residents remains uncertain until the investigation is done to determine the scope of work required for each section of the building to be safe and compliant for the occupancy of the residents.
The building currently has no power and significant work must be done to repair life safety systems, such as fire alarms and hot water, according to officials.
They reported severe fire damage to the mechanical room, as well as some parts of the building, while other sections have been damaged to a lesser degree by water and smoke.
The municipality said it has already held in-person meetings to communicate future actions directly with the residents of the building, adding some residents have been allowed to briefly return to their units to retrieve personal belongings and medication.
The Canadian Red Cross has set up an emergency evacuation centre at the former St. Agnes School property and the Red Cross will be providing meals to individuals staying at the evacuation centre.
"The transition to move residents of 99 McNaughton Avenue from hotels to the evacuation centre has commenced," said officials.
Chatham-Kent Director of Housing Services Josh Myers said the municipality is doing everything they can to get everyone affected by the fire into longer-term stable housing until the building is made safe again.
“Our primary concern is the safety and security of those displaced," said Myers. "Our Employment & Social Services and Housing Services teams are working non-stop to provide social supports and secure stable long-term accommodations for all tenants impacted by the fire."
He said case managers will be reaching out as soon as possible to continue the transition of residents into longer-term housing.
Local MPP Trevor Jones also toured the site and met with municipal leaders, investigators, municipal staff, and displaced residents.
“This is an extremely serious situation, and as always, our first priority is the wellbeing of our residents,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “I have been on site with members from various municipal teams as well as representatives from the province. We are doing everything within our power to find stable housing for those displaced. We have dozens of municipal staff and volunteers working on this around the clock. To the community, I want to thank everyone who has provided help so far, whether it be through donations or through providing a place for an affected loved one or friend to stay. It is situations like this where we need our community to come together.”
Seven donation sites are still available to drop off needed items, such as non-perishable donations.