An order by Whitehorse fire chief Kevin Lyslo to vacate tenants of the old Jamieson’s Building is under appeal with the territorial fire marshal.

Fire marshal Dennis Berry told the Star this morning his department is conducting its own inspection to determine whether to rescind, modify or affirm the order.

Members of the fire marshal’s office began conducting their own inspection Friday and were continuing today, he said.

Berry said as it is, the owners of the building have complied with the order to vacate tenants.

A couple of tenants expressed frustration Friday with what they said was very short notice, as few as 24 hours in some cases, such as in the case of Kelly Kormos.

Kormos received an official notice last Thursday afternoon telling him he would have to be out Friday.

The owners of the building are putting up tenants in other locations.

Kormos said in his case, he’s being relocated to the Family Hotel, with the owners of Jamieson’s footing the bill for a month.

Kormos said he’s wondering what he’ll do after a month.

With such short notice, he said, he may not be able to save enough money from his job to put together first and last months’ rent in time, even if he can find a place in the next month.

“I am not very happy, and I am looking for compensation,” he said.

Kormos produced a letter he was given last Thursday afternoon from the building’s owners saying he would have to be gone Friday.

Some residents who are on social assistance were notified last week, though there was some uncertainty because other tenants had not received any notice, he said.

Kormos said he understands if there are safety issues, there are safety issues. But such short notice is unacceptable, he said.

While the official owner is a numbered company, the Star has learned the property is owned by Arcrite Northern and TSL Contractors.

The owners, however, are out of town and unavailable for comment, the Star has been told by office staff at TSL.

The Jamieson’s Building dates back to the 1950s.

Lyslo said the structure underwent a routine inspection in November 2015.

Concerns were raised and a more in-depth inspection was conducted by the city’s fire prevention office, as is the case when routine inspections identify issues, Lyslo explained.

He said the fire department issued the owners an order on Jan. 7 requiring the removal of the tenants by last Friday.

While the fire chief declined to get into specifics, he did say the order is in keeping with the city’s mandate to ensure all residents have safe housing.

In most cases where issues with fire safety are raised, the fire department and building owners are able to work through the deficiencies and bring the accommodations up to code, he said.

Lyslo said the Jan. 7 order to vacate the tenants was issued because it was felt the owners of Jamieson’s would be unable to address the deficiencies by last Friday.

That afternoon, however, some residents were busy packing up their possessions and preparing to leave as members of the fire marshal’s office were conducting their inspection as required under the appeal process.

Pat Living of the Department of Health and Social Services said this morning the department successfully relocated seven of its social assistance clients who were living at Jamieson’s.