City councillors ordered a fire ravaged home on Bowen Rd. to be torn down after issuing a Remedial Action Order at a special council meeting. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

fed up

City councillors order removal of burned-out central Nanaimo home

Sep 15, 2023 | 12:48 PM

NANAIMO — Frustrated with no action to address a dilapidated eyesore of a property, City councillors want a Bowen Rd. home addressed immediately.

During a special council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14 council ordered a Remedial Action Order at 2120 Bowen Rd. after a fire gutted the central Nanaimo property late last year.

Municipal staff can initiate the removal or demolition of the abandoned fire-damaged structure if those actions are not undertaken by the owner within 30 days.

“The main floor, walls, ceiling, and roof were all burned beyond repair destroying all interior finishes, with penetration into the basement level. There has also been an extensive amount of water damage,” noted a City staff report.

Following an assessment this past June a building inspector recommended the home be demolished to prevent the possibility of collapse.

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Aside from significant fire and water damage, a substantial hole remains in the burned-out structure’s roof.

Described as hazardous, uninhabitable and beyond repair, City crews cleaned up the property surrounding the home in June at the owner’s expense.

“The property is not locally owned, and the owners have failed to undertake appropriate measures to properly secure the structure.”

Following the fire, Nanaimo Fire Rescue cited indications the property was the source of a landlord-tenant dispute.

Power had been cut off to the property earlier in the month prior to the fire, according to NFR.

All three people in the home at the time of the fire self-evacuated prior to the arrival of NFR crews.

Fire ripped through 2120 Bowen Rd. on the early morning hours of Dec. 29, 2022. (Nanaimo Fire Rescue)

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes