How Mobile Security Guards Prevent Vacant Building Fires

Vacant building fires have been on the rise in major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Winnipeg, causing millions of dollars worth of property damage. The consequences of abandoned building fires can be deadly and cause extensive damage to neighbouring buildings in addition to the abandoned building. According to the City of Vancouver, securing a vacant building is the owner’s responsibility, meaning that home and property owners should consider investing in security for their vacant properties. In this blog, we’ll detail the dangers and potential causes of abandoned building fires, and outline how owners can safeguard their vacant properties with mobile security.

Vacant Building Fires in Vancouver and Winnipeg

Firefighters rushed to the scene when an abandoned home caught fire in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood in early October. As reported by CTV News, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Asst. Chief, Pierre Morin, said there was “definitely evidence of squatters being there in the past, whether they were there last night, we don't know right now”. Morin also shared that the building had been abandoned since 2013, and would now be considered a “write-off” due to the extensive damage caused by the blaze. According to Global News, the property had an estimated value of $5 million.

Abandoned homes are not the only buildings that are at risk of fires. In June, CTV News reported a fire at an abandoned townhouse complex at the intersection of Cambie Street and Southwest Marine Drive which contained roughly 12 units. First responders noted that at least one person fled the building when help arrived, with another being rushed to hospital for treatment as a result of the blaze.

Winnipeg has also seen a sharp uptick in abandoned building fires in recent months. Just this past weekend on November 11th, Winnipeg firefighters responded to a vacant building fire on Argyle Street. The City of Winnipeg encourages anyone who “sees someone actively entering a vacant building, or removing boards from windows or doors from a building, should call 911 to report the incident immediately”. Winnipeg residents can also report concerns about vacant property on the City of Winnipeg website. These are just a few examples of a growing problem in Canada’s growing cities.

What Causes Abandoned Building Fires?

Fires that occur in abandoned buildings are sometimes started by vagrants occupying vacant homes. Squatters may practice unsafe methods of warming using open fires, or cooking with propane in houses that lack electricity. Structural fires can be exacerbated by dilapidated building conditions, maintenance issues, and flammable building materials used by older buildings. As winter weather approaches, these dangers become more pronounced as vagrants seek warmth.

The Dangers of Abandoned House Fires

Property fires can lead to extensive property damage, both for the building containing the source of the blaze as well as neighbouring properties. In the Kerrisdale house fire for instance, a neighbouring home sustained “minor heat damage”. Properties that catch fire are often older and contain more flammable materials than modern buildings, often leading to severe property damage and blazes that fully or partially engulf the buildings they affect.

House fires can also result in life-threatening injuries for bystanders, neighbours, and potential squatters residing within the abandoned building. One resident of the Cambie Street townhome complex that caught fire needed to be rescued by firefighters and treated for smoke inhalation at a hospital. In more densely developed neighbourhoods, fires can easily jump to neighbouring buildings and complexes aided by wind, endangering the lives of those living nearby.

How Mobile Security Can Safeguard Abandoned Properties

Securing property is an owner’s responsibility, including owners of vacant properties. Properties that lie vacant for extended periods of time attract vagrants seeking shelter. They may forcibly enter through unsecured windows and doorways or remove boarding panels to gain access to the building’s interior. While city residents are encouraged to report any vacant buildings or squatter sightings, relying on good samaritans and neighbours is an ineffective security strategy. This is where mobile security comes into play.

Mobile security patrols offer a cost-effective and comprehensive security solution for vacant buildings. These patrols are conducted by a uniformed security guard in a marked security vehicle at intervals throughout the day and night. During patrols, mobile security guards will monitor for signs of property damage, evidence of breaking and entering, signs of vagrancy, and suspicious behaviour from any individuals nearby. Since most vacant building fires take place overnight when visibility is low, mobile security patrols scheduled during overnight hours can monitor for suspicious activity at night.

If a security guard discovers a squatter on the property, they will take appropriate action, which may include contacting local law enforcement to remove the individual from the property. At Blackbird Security, our mobile security guards carry fire extinguishers in their vehicles. In the event a fire is discovered, they are trained to extinguish the fire as much as possible while coordinating with local first responders.

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Vacant properties provide opportunities for vagrants and squatters to use the property unlawfully, sometimes resulting in devastating house fires that greatly affect a property’s market value. With mobile security, property owners can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing their property is professionally protected. Invest in property protection and safeguard your assets with Blackbird Security.

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