City Issues Evacuation Order to Richmond Commercial Building

21 January 2005

Mayor Malcolm Brodie issued a declaration this afternoon to order the evacuation of a Richmond commercial building resulting from a sinkhole caused by recent heavy rain. Business occupants at 6280 No. 3 Road are being evacuated as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety if business displacement occurs, and because of various utility disconnections.

In order to ensure mandatory evacuation of the building, the Provincial Government requires that a municipality declare a State of Local Emergency. This declaration provides the Fire Chief and Police Chief with the legal authority to evacuate an area, and limit access, under the Emergency Program Act.

In addition to the Richmond public-at-large, residents and businesses in the area bounded by No. 3 Road, Cook Road, Buswell Street and Saba Road are hereby notified that a State of Local Emergency has been declared for the area as noted on the attached map. However, at this time, only commercial occupants at 6280 No. 3 Road are affected by the evacuation and utility disruption, which does not include any residential dwellings.

A break in the sanitary sewer line located in the immediate area has been isolated, with the cause of the break under review by Public Works staff. The Richmond Fire-Rescue Department and City staff will continually assess this area, and enact additional evacuation to adjacent buildings if required.

This State of Local Emergency Declaration commenced effective Friday, January 21, 2005 and will remain in force until Friday, January 28, 2005, unless cancelled earlier.

A copy of the formal declaration is available online, or contact our City Clerk’s Department at 604-276-4007.

A printable version of this map is available in the Formal Declaration document.