Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Serving the Hub of the North since 1960
Volume 59 • Issue 45
South tower of Forest View Suites on Princeton Drive evacuated after Nov. 3 fire Fire, which was contained to a single suite, occurred about six weeks after a blaze in the north building resulted in it being deemed unsafe for occupancy
OUTLYING COMMUNITIES KEY TO NDP MLA’S VICTORY NEWS PAGE 2
PAVING BUDGET OVERRUN IRKS COUNCILLOR
NEWS PAGE 3
Nickel Belt News
A fire on the seventh floor of the Forest View Suites south building on Princeton Drive resulted in the evacuation of tenants for a few hours Nov. 3, one day short of six weeks after a fire in the north building that resulted in it being declared unfit for occupancy. Thompson RCMP and Thompson Fire & Emergency Services (TFES) were dispatched to the fire at about 9 p.m. Sunday. “Aggressive firefighting prevented the fire from extending beyond the suite of origin,” said the Thompson Professional Firefighters Association on their Facebook page. “No injuries were reported. The cause of fire is under investigation.” Thompson RCMP said the investigation is being assisted by Manitoba’s Office fo the Fire Commissioner. The City of Thompson said shortly before 11 p.m. Nov. 3 that tenants were expected to be allowed to return to their units by 11:30 p.m., with the exception of those on the seventh floor, who might have to wait longer. The city also noted that only registered tenants would be able to return to their apartments. A fire in the north building of Forest View Suites on Sept. 23 resulted in the evacuation of approximately 180 residents. After RCMP and
Thompson citizen photo courtesy of Thompson Professional Firefighters Association The south building of Forest View Suites on Princeton Drive was evacuated for about two-and-a-half hours Nov. 3 as the result of a fire in a seventh floor apartment. the Office of the Fire com- al room in violation of the Polar Bear Properties Ltd. Polar Bear Properties owes missioner completed their fire code. Exit routes were and Manitoba numbered is to the Royal Bank of Caninvestigation into the cause not in good condition or company 5409676 Manitoba ada – a total of $23,130,300. of that fire, TFES deemed the clear from obstructions, fire Ltd, which have owned the The City of Thompson is building unsafe until critical separations in the building apartment buildings at 364 owed $1,364,424 in unpaid repairs are completed and fire were not properly maintained and 424 Princeton Drive property taxes, $115,748 code violations addressed. and emergency lighting was since 2009, after a July 31 for water bills, and another The north tower was then broken or absent. Many exit hearing. $19,232 worth of unspecified turned back over to prop- signs were not illuminated Polar Bear Properties Ltd. debts. The owners also owe erty management company and the elevators were out owes nearly $25 million to TFES $8,004 and Manitoba Armour Management, which of order. creditors and said that as Hydro $193,739. was responsible for securing The company that owns of July 31 they had about Polar Bear Properties acthe building and allowing Forest View Suites, also $65,000 in cash, $170,000 quired Princeton Towers in tenants to retrieve their be- known by its former name in accounts receivable, and early 2009 from the Sheiner longings. The building’s fire of Princeton Towers, was $28.5 million in the form of Group, a Montreal-based real alarm system was inoperable placed into receivership this the buildings and property, estate investment firm, and at the time and TFES was summer because it is unable though the Manitoba Mu- Silver Management Group alerted to the fire by phone to pay back money it bor- nicipal Relations property Ltd, an Ottawa-based residencalls from residents. Fire rowed to run the apartments. assessment of the buildings tial and commercial property extinguishers were missing Ernst & Young was ap- for 2019 values the land at management company. Those from their assigned locations pointed by the Manitoba $812,500 and the buildings companies had purchased the and combustible materials Court of Queen’s Bench as at $15,689,100. towers less than two years were stored in the electric- the receiver of the assets of Most of the money that earlier, on April 2, 2007.
2019 PROGRESS ISSUE
Muggers in Michael Myers mask, Joker costume rob man at gunpoint near Thompson’s Deerwood School Oct. 31 2019 ANNUAL PROGRESS EDITION PAGES 5 - 8
Two men in Halloween costumes robbed a man at gunpoint in a wooded area behind Deerwood School in Thompson Oct. 31. RCMP were dispatched to an armed robbery around 8:48 p.m. The man who was robbed said the
muggers pointed a gun at him and took his property but he wasn’t injured. One suspect is described as 6’2” to 6’4” tall with a slim build wearing a Michael Myers mask with green hair on top and a dark blue
Yer snow gotta go!
Contact Nelson at 204-307-0281 pruderspropertyservices@gmail.com to discuss your property needs!
parka. The other is described as being 5’10” tall with a heavy build. He was wearing a green tuxedo/suit jacket, a purple tie and a black shirt over the tie. he had white paint on his face, painted green eyebrows and red makeup all over his mouth.
Anyone with information about these two men is asked to call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.