Port Pub apartments evacuated

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Residents of the Port Pub Apartments are being forced out today after airborne asbestos was discovered in the building.

Security Guards hired to patrol the second floor hallways for the past two months due to a lack of working smoke detectors, were ordered to stop patrols yesterday.

City firefighters in hazmat suits and masks were brought in overnight to conduct the patrols instead.

City CAO Mike Fox says government and social service agencies are working to find housing solutions for the more than two dozen people who will be displaced.

“The city will be putting a fire order in place shortly, which will need the building to be emptied by this afternoon,” said Fox. “We’ve been in contact with all of our partner agencies, the province, BC Housing and the Ministry of Housing about the situation ongoing for a lot longer than the last few days, but we did have a meeting last night. We’re having another meeting today. We’re committed to working with everybody to assist the tenants affected by the evacuation and ensure their needs are met during this time.”

The Argyle Street building has been under the close watch of the city since January, after they issued a remediation order to property owner Peter Wang.

The apartments have served as the city’s only no-barrier residences.

PHOTO – Port Alberni firefighters in special gear prepare to patrol inside the Port Pub Tuesday night