Fire strikes home targeted by SCAN law
The owner of a Centennial Street home may be out of his house longer than the 90-day eviction that’s been brought forward under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhood (SCAN) Act.
The owner of a Centennial Street home may be out of his house longer than the 90-day eviction that’s been brought forward under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhood (SCAN) Act.
City firefighters were called to 1312 Centennial St. at the corner of 14th Avenue at 8:32 p.m., Sunday platoon chief Morley MacKay said this morning.
The fire occurred just a day less than two weeks after Yukon Supreme Court Justice Ron Veale issued an order that any illegal activities on the property owned by Marius Moustakas be stopped while awaiting a hearing in July on the 90-day eviction sought by the Department of Public Safety and Investigations.
A notice about the court order was displayed on the property.
This morning, MacKay told the Star the blaze started in the attic near the chimney, with firefighters being called by the homeowner.
When the approximately nine firefighters arrived, smoke was coming out of three windows in the attic.
Due to the home’s age and the way it was built, firefighters had to cut four holes into the roof to get into the attic Sunday night.
They left the scene at 11 p.m., but were back at midnight to make sure it had been fully extinguished.
While it appeared to be completely out, at 5:47 a.m. today, firefighters were called once more, as the blaze had started again.
“That’s not uncommon,” MacKay said.
It only takes one spark sitting inside a piece of wood to ignite a blaze again, especially in a building that’s about 50 years old like this one where the wood is very dry.
Officials say the fire does not appear suspicious.
MacKay estimated the damage to the house to be between $70,000 and $80,000, with another approximately $15,000 to $20,000 damage its contents.
The temporary eviction of the homeowner would be the first such action to be taken under SCAN.
The case won’t be heard until next month.
In making his most recent ruling, however, Veale found there was “reasonable inference” that the property was being used for the consumption or sale of liquor, contravening the territory’s Liquor Act.
The judge also ruled the activities were having an adverse effect on the community.
Court documents show a complaint alleging bootlegging came into the SCAN offices last Dec. 30.
Video surveillance of the property was set up. Over a period of 87 hours from Feb. 16 to 20, there were 70 visits to the home, with most lasting between four and five minutes, the court documents read.
Another 86 visits, also most between four and five minutes, happened between Feb. 27 and March 5.
SCAN legislation was enacted in 2006, with action being taken in 59 cases. Those have included 30 warnings and 29 evictions of rental properties where landlords have assisted.
Under SCAN legislation, a case allowing for eviction can be made without being required to meet the same legal test necessary for a criminal case.
Mark
Jun 4, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Great work scan, but lets do a bit more to get the hard crap off our streets