Multiple storage units at this facility near the Schmalz Auction yard were destroyed by fire this morning. Fire crews are still on scene in mid-afternoon. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Storage fire

Storage facility fire was arson: RCMP

Jan 8, 2024 | 2:04 PM

A fire on Monday morning that burned part of a storage facility in the RM of Prince Albert, right next to Schmalz Auction was caused by arson, according to the RCMP.

Police were called to the facility at 8:50 a.m. and said the investigation showed the fire was deliberately set.

A person of interest was arrested in Prince Albert about 30 minutes later, but has not yet been charged.

The investigation is ongoing and includes the RCMP General Investigative Section and fire investigators from the Sask. Public Safety Agency.

Multiple storage units at a facility on the south side of Prince Albert have had their contents burned in a fire that started Monday morning.

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Deputy fire chief Alex Paul of the Prince Albert Fire Department said the nature of the building made it hard to contain the fire.

“Just because of the design of the building, it’s spreading from unit to unit and there are many overhead doors to open,” he said.

A video of the fire taken by Daniel Maki shows firefighters prying open one unit to find the inside engulfed in flames.

At least nine other units were burning at the same time in the building on the southeast corner of the lot.

The Mini Mall storage unit is outside of city limits so there are no hydrants there and water is being trucked in.

PAFD was called out around 8 a.m. with several units on fire.

“It’s really a defensive operation that we’re in, protecting the surrounding buildings from burning,” explained Paul.

The facility contains multiple buildings that each hold multiple storage units and Paul said that they will be able to contain the damage to one building.

The units don’t appear to have fire separations between each unit so the blaze spread easily.

Only the renters of the units know what is inside their storage space, but Paul said that they tend to include furniture and boxes of personal items and be very packed.

All of that is quite flammable, he said.

“I would say we have the situation under control. We’re not concerned about losing any additional buildings but it’s yet to be determined if we can save any portion of the particular building that’s on fire.”

Anyolne with information on the incident should call the RCMP at 306-755-5500. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com