An emergency evacuation centre that has been housing residents displaced by a Chatham apartment fire is winding down operations.
The Canadian Red Cross has been operating the evacuation centre at the former St. Agnes School property on Croydon Street since August 30, after it became clear that there were not enough hotel rooms in the municipality to meet demand.
Since then, 13 households have registered to attend the centre, while the remaining tenants who were previously in need have secured housing with friends and family. The centre has been operating 24 hours per day to assist those families left homeless in the wake of the August 25 fire at 99 McNaughton Avenue West.
Municipal officials say the emergency centre is expected to close on Thursday and those staying with the Red Cross will be provided short-term emergency housing until longer-term arrangements can be made.
Staff with CK Housing Services have reached out to all impacted tenants to advise them of the change.
“As the emergency stabilizes, we are transitioning into a prolonged effort to assist the residents of 99 McNaughton,” said Josh Myers, director of Housing Services. “Staff will continue to work with all tenants until they are able to return to their homes.”
The municipality has stated that it will take at minimum several months before residents can move back into the McNaughton Avenue West building. An exact timeline is currently unknown.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service has arrested one person in connection to the fire but authorities still looking for another. Both face charges of arson with disregard for human life.