From a distance the charred skeleton of Citadel Mews West stands as a tragic reminder of the devastating fire on May 6 that forced the evacuation of 200 seniors.
Up close, efficient restoration services employees carry out boxes and wheelchairs, and the loud blowing sound of massive vacuum system sucks out water and ashes. Although there is sadness for seniors who lost their homes, this man-machinery energy signals hope for a fast recovery.
However, two weeks after a wall of flames destroyed a large portion of the seniors’ residence, small businesses located on the main floor of the building are still closed.
“We still don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Mark Villecourt, owner of Respiratory Dynamics, a home oxygen supplier whose clients include seniors from Citadel Mews.
He had just met with his insurance adjuster at the Mews on May 14. Only the adjuster was allowed indoors.
“Security did not permit me to go inside for safety reasons. They basically asked what I needed from the office and then got them (the items),” said Villecourt.
Although Villecourt was denied a visual inspection, he realized his business had smoke and water damage after viewing the exterior of the building on May 7, the day after the fire.
“You could see water pouring out from the floor of all the businesses.”
Staff have since relocated and are working from home delivering oxygen and equipment to clients. And once he is permitted entry, there will be the challenge of determining what is salvageable.
In addition to oxygen tanks, Respiratory Dynamics carries specialized medical equipment that creates oxygen for patients.
“The machines need to get tested because at the moment, they may not be safe for patients. But that’s another process altogether.”
Megan Dewar, director of operations for Living Sounds Hearing Centre, also said: “We don’t know very much.”
She was in Toronto at the time of the fire and was alerted to it at 2 a.m. the next morning.
“The fire in the footage I saw looked scary. And then I thought about the clients and how we could make this as easy as possible for them and still provide a service,” said Dewar.
Living Sounds was outfitted with full hearing equipment, including office equipment, a testing booth, and testing equipment. She, too, waits for a damage report from the adjustor to determine what can be retrieved.
“Our clients were very supportive. We were able to pivot and communicate clearly. We have a number of clinics and we contacted everyone by phone, email and text,” said Dewar.
Clients have since been redirected to an Edmonton location at the John Roberts Centre, 12310 - 105 Ave.
Other businesses affected by the fire include Adam's Barber Shop, Green Apple Pharmacy, Refresh Cannabis, and Christensen Hub. None had returned the Gazette's calls by press time on Tuesday.
