Fire damage visible in broken basement window (Lethbridge News Now file photo)

By Justin Goulet

Charges placed in relation to fatal secondary suite fire in July 2019

Sep 24, 2020 | 8:52 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Two people have been charged with Fire Code violations in relation to an illegal secondary suite blaze in July 2019.

Last summer, a fire in the south Lethbridge suite took the life of a man and his dog.

READ MORE: Early morning fatal house fire under investigation

The fire in the secondary suite was later deemed accidental.

However, two people have now been charged by the City of Lethbridge. The city is the jurisdiction responsible for enforcing the Alberta Fire Code and the Safety Codes Act.

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“This situation had a tragic outcome and is a serious reminder of the important responsibility all owners have to legalize their secondary suites and ensure life safety measures are in place and in working condition,” said City of Lethbridge Fire Marshall Heath Wright.

“Our thoughts go out to the victim’s family. This has been devastating for everyone involved. Our hope, in sharing this information, is that more people will understand the seriousness of operating an illegal suite and take the steps needed to ensure their tenants are safe.”

The charges laid out involve several violations to the Alberta Fire Code.

These include:

• Improper bedroom exit windows
• Lack of required smoke alarms
• No carbon monoxide alarms
• Lack of proper fire separations for the furnace room

Under the Safety Codes Act, each violation, in the case of a first offence, holds a fine of up to $100,000 and/or six months in jail.

The suspects are not being named at this time as the matter has yet to go through the courts.

Legal secondary suites must be approved by the City of Lethbridge’s Development Services department and have to meet the requirements of the Building Code.

“The City of Lethbridge has been promoting the importance of these life safety requirement for many years in an effort to bring all suites up to current code,” the city stated in a release.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each homeowner to ensure these standards are met.”

Between 2009 and 2019, the city provided close to $500,000 in grant funding to give financial assistance to those that needed to make necessary upgrades.

Wright said the number one priority is to keep the community safe.

“We want to work with owners, landlords, property managers, contractors and local residents to make sure the required life safety standards are in place.”

Further details on legalizing secondary suites can be found via the city’s website here.