Abandoned Halifax school catches fire for third time in two weeks

A fire broke out again at the abandoned St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School over the weekend.

For the third time in less than two weeks, crews have put out a fire at an abandoned school in Halifax.

The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters Association says crews responded to the fire at St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School on Maitland Street around 6:53 p.m. Saturday. They entered a room and brought the fire under control.

Teams put out a fire on the second floor of the building on March 26 and returned four days later to extinguish two fires on the third floor.

“Our members are trained and ready to respond, but each of these calls introduces serious risks — not only to fire fighters, but to members of the public who may be inside or near these properties,” the Halifax Professional Fire Firefighters said in a previous news release.

“Derelict buildings are not just urban decay — they are high-hazard zones.”

The school, which opened to students in 1921, has been empty since 2010.

JONO Developments Ltd. bought the property for $3.6 million in April 2020, but its future is on hold due to a court process disputing the terms of a buyback agreement.

Jeff Karabanow, a social work professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, says it’s a shame the school has been left empty for so long, as now the options are limited.

“There’s nothing that can be done. It has to be cleared and then rebuilt, but there is a sadness at a time when so many people are suffering around the housing crisis that we can’t move towards figuring this out quickly. At the same time, we are seeing a lot more deeply unaffordable spaces being built,” said Karabanow.

In a statement late Monday, the City of Halifax noted whoever set the fire on the property is trespassing. It also warned vacant and derelict buildings pose a fire risk since safety systems, such as smoke detectors and lighting, may not be in place or working properly.

“Additionally, when vacant and derelict buildings are boarded up, getting in and out can be difficult and dangerous,” said city spokesperson Brynn Budden in an emailed statement.

“Entryways, exits, stairs and passageways may be obstructed or impassible. Trespassing is illegal and puts everyone in harm’s way, including people and firefighters.”

Police say no arrests were made in connection with the latest incident and no injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Emma Convey.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial pageincial page