(Editorial note: The fire was previously reported to have destroyed the structure at 125 Third Ave NW, the site of several businesses. The fire instead took place at 306 River Street West, across the street. The destroyed building was abandoned and scheduled for demolition.)
MooseJawToday.com spoke with Moose Jaw Fire Department (MJFD) Chief Rod Montgomery regarding the fire. Montgomery said that further investigation of the cause of the blaze would be done by the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS).
The MJPS have not yet responded to a request for comment.
"The call came in at roughly 1:45 on Sunday morning. Trucks were on scene a few minutes later," Montgomery said. "Both smoke and flame were visible from the structure. That was a vacant building, no tenants.
"The building was due to come down ... It was going to be knocked down by the current owner within probably a month, regardless. Certainly this (fire) expedited that (demolition)."
When asked if there would be an investigation of the cause of the fire, Montgomery said the fire department had turned the matter over to police.
"We're satisfied, certainly, with our end of it. We'll leave it in the police's hands as far as interviewing witnesses, etc."
Montgomery reported that his department's work proceeded without any injuries or complications. It looked rather large, he said, but, "Once you go defensive on these, it's just surround and drown."
Going defensive means that given the building's vacancy, the speed and full involvement of the fire, and the fact the structure was not up against any others, the MJFD did not attempt to save the building.
"Upon arrival, firefighters were able to determine that it was fully involved. They started putting water on it, however, the fire burned itself through the roof in quick fashion. ... There was really no threat of extension to any other buildings," Montgomery explained. "Then, it just takes time for the building to collapse on itself, and at that point you're just monitoring."
