Prince Albert’s police and firefighters, including a fire truck, a ladder truck and about eight to 11 people, were dispatched to block 2300 on 9th West Avenue at about 8:30 a.m. Friday. Prince Albert’s fire chief Chris Olsen said the construction of the building made the job difficult for firefighters. The building has a metal exterior but a wooden interior, which means that firefighters had to see through part of the metal to access the fire, while the interior of the wood fueled its savagery. Eventually, the roof of the building collapsed. Firefighters strip the metal cladding from the construction to reach the fire inside the building. (Ken Landers)
“It’s basically the worst case scenario when the fire goes into construction,” Olsen said. “Revealing it is the only way to catch this fire.”

Large council damaged by fire destruction

In a press release, the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) said it was “shocked” and “devastated” by the fire that destroyed their center, named after the late Senator Allen Byrd, a war veteran and senior from Montreal Lake Cree. Nation. “It has had a reputation as the main gathering place for many of our community events,” Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said in a statement. “It also represented the home of our government for our 12 member nations and was a place where we have honored many of our leaders over the years.” To see it leveled on Friday, the day after the site where some 1,500 Easter barricades were distributed to needy families, was a tragic irony for PAGC Vice President Joseph Channy. “It’s a center for our young people, our young people, who come for training opportunities, tournaments … they’re the young people who are most affected because, as I said, that ‘s where their home is,” he said. The Senator Allen Bird Memorial Center is probably a total loss, says the fire department. It was a hub for youth sports and an iconic gathering place for the community. Video of the center at about 3 p.m. today, provided by the Grand Council of Prince Albert: pic.twitter.com/kPytfuConv – @ DaynePatterson_
Tsannie says it was also a building where people gathered to mourn the loss in the community and celebrate with festivals and dances. “Buildings and materials can always be replaced, but it is a symbol of PAGC and I know that in our first Nations, our members felt the impact and felt a sadness because that was our home. While the building was not rescued, Tsannie nevertheless thanked the emergency services and PAGC members who came to help fight the fire.