Less than two weeks after a six-alarm fire forced them out of their units, hundreds of residents from a St. James Town apartment building are facing yet another evacuation.The city has issued letters to the nearly 700 people who are temporarily housed in various hotels, advising them to check out of their rooms starting Aug. 31, and not later than Sept. 4.“It is strongly advised that you secure alternative accommodations as soon as possible,” reads part of the letter, encouraging displaced people to seek arrangements with family and friends wherever possible. The fire, which officials say was triggered by a major electrical system failure, on Aug. 21 forced the evacuation of more than 1,500 residents at 650 Parliament St. apartment building. Hundreds of residents spent nights at two nearby community centres, and were eventually given temporary housing in hotels across the city.There were a total of 1,265 people who originally registered with the Red Cross, according to city spokesperson Tammy Robbinson. Of those, 578 found their own accommodation and 687 were provided with emergency shelter services, she said. Read more: Mayor appeals to public for housing, clothing for St. James Town residents displaced by fireRepairs to St. James Town highrise will take months, fire chief saysLong lines, anger and frustration as residents of highrise emptied by fire wait to collect belongingsRobinson said hotels in the city have advised that they have limited rooms available as the long weekend approaches, and residents should contact their building’s property manager for alternate accommodations. A third of the people currently staying in hotels have to be out by Friday, Robinson said.For the residents who won’t be able to find a place to stay, the city will, once again, open up the Regent Park Community Centre for them, Robinson said. If need be, extra space will be made available at the Wellesley Community Centre, she said.So far the city has been fo ...
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