Tenants homeless after Saskatoon apartment deemed fire risk

SASKATOON – It could be three weeks until residents of a downtown apartment complex are allowed back into their homes again.

Late Thursday afternoon, a fire marshal evacuated Rideau Classic on 4th Avenue North and declared it unsafe.

The boiler in the 14-suite building had broken down and residents say they have been without heat for over a month.

Many tenants say they’re angry with how the building’s owner and manager, Avenue Living, has handled the situation.

Tenants say the company offered them space heaters and the option of moving to alternate accommodation in early November.

The company said it would reimburse tenants for the extra costs incurred in using the heaters.

“We have tiny little electrical space heaters and it’s not good enough for the apartment size that we have, I don’t leave them on when I’m not at home, I’m just worried about fires,” said one tenant who didn’t want to be identified.

And that’s exactly why the fire marshal made the decision to close down the building.

A notice posted on the building’s front door reads “I am of the opinion that a situation exists creating a serious danger to life and property.”

Fire Marshall Wayne Rodger said space heaters are only meant to be used as a supplementary heat source.

“The primary risk from a fire safety side was the number of space heaters that were being used at one single time which increases the risk and the potential for fire in that building beyond what we felt was comfortable,” said Rodger.

This forced many residents to pack up and find alternate accommodation.

“As of now a lot of us have nowhere to go,” said tenant Shayla Houk.

“There was an emergency number on the notice that I got this evening, I called the number and the gentleman told me to go get an air mattress and they would put me up in one of their empty suites,” she added.

Houk returned to her apartment Friday to pick up some belongings extremely angry and frustrated with Avenue Living.

“They were saying last night that we could go to a hotel, but that they don’t have a company credit card that they could call a hotel and put us up so we are to pay and they will reimburse us, at this point costs are (mounting),” said Houk.

As for how long they will be displaced, the residents haven’t been informed.

“We’ve been told two to three weeks and that was part of our decision making process was that timeline,” said Rodger.

On Friday, Avenue Living said work will take place around the clock to ensure tenants can return home as quickly as possible.

“We have been in communication with all of our tenants and those that could not find alternate accommodation were provided immediate options,” said Avenue Living.

“Avenue living has received feedback that our direct communication options for our tenants need to be reviewed. This review began today and this will be a key focus for us,” the statement said.

Houk says she and other tenants will take their case to a Rentalsman next week.

“We’re hoping just to get back paid a little bit for our no heat situation and then of course for now not even being able to live here,” said Houk.