On Sunday, this tower structure was damaged by fire. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fire investigation

YWCA asking residents not to rush to judgment over recent fires

Jul 2, 2024 | 4:22 PM

With respect to a number of recent fires on the exhibition grounds in Prince Albert, the CEO of the local YWCA is acknowledging there has already has been finger pointing.

Coincidentally the city’s only homeless shelter is also on the exhibition grounds and the area in general is known to attract a lot of foot traffic. On Tuesday, Donna Brooks told paNOW there has been no proof that any of the fires are related to the shelter.

“Many homeless people hang out in the cornerstone area and don’t even use the shelter. There are also the backpack boys who cut through the grounds. We have security that patrols the grounds and the shelter 24/7, but it is a large area with a lot of hiding places-it could be anyone lighting the fires,” she said.

Brooks then expressed her own desire that between police and fire, the cause of the fires can be positively determined.

When contacted by Ward 3 Councilor Tony Head, he noted it was the first call he had received with respect to the fires at the exhibition grounds, but also acknowledged it’s frustrating to see these types of incidents occur.

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“Residents are of course concerned with the amount of traffic and the shelter that’s there and it’s about time this (provincial) government makes some commitments to Prince Albert in finding a permanent home for our people that are on the streets and the exhibition centre may not be the best pace anymore,” he said.

Prior to Sunday’s two fires involving the tower and some straw in a separate corral area, the fire department had been called out on June 28 to the exhibition grounds and extinguished a small grass fire near the race track.

The more serious of the recent fires was one in May that destroyed one of the main cattle barns. As a result, alternative plans were made this respect to the 4H club’s upcoming show and sale event. Head said he’s been told the cause of the fire was electrical and not arson.

“Every time we see an incident there I am following up about what happened, and what can we do to stop that from happening again,” he said.

The cause of Sunday’s fire remains under investigation.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell