Town Hall Fire - Status Updates

On February 9, 2025, there was a fire in the depot area of the Paradise Town Hall. The fire started in a tandem dump truck. There was no one in the Town Hall or depot at the time of the fire, and there are no reports of any injuries from the incident.  We are very thankful that no one was injured as a result of this fire.

Business Continuity 

Since the fire, Town services and programs are continuing. The departments and associated staff who were based at the Town Hall and depot have been moved to temporary work locations. 

Town Hall in-person services are available at 1655 Topsail Road – many residents will remember this as the “old Town Hall.” The Corporate Services Department, including the Finance Division, and the Planning and Protective Services Department are based at this location. 

The Public Works and Infrastructure and Engineering Departments are relocated to 1270 Kenmount Road. This is an employee-only site and it is not open to the public. Town vehicles and heavy equipment are operating from the secure depot yard on McNamara Drive. The Town has secured a building from which it can operate a depot and is currently planning the transition to that site. Starting in early December, crews and staff will move to this location, which will also be an employee only location. 

There has been minimal impact to the Department of Recreation and Community Services and staff based at the Paradise Double Ice Complex continue with operations at that site. The skate park is currently closed for public operations and is being used as an inventory location. When a temporary or alternate garage locations is secured, the use of the skate park will be re-evaluated. 

Type of Fire & Resulting Damage

The incident was an industrial fire which caused significant smoke damage. As a tandem dump truck caught fire, this meant that industrial rubber tires, plastics, and other materials were burnt and / or melted which creates a toxic smoke. This type of smoke is much different from a wood-burning or home-type fire and can cause considerably more damage. It also requires an intense remediation. 

The smoke from the depot fire infiltrated all areas of the depot and Town Hall, with the second floor of the building being impacted the most. The main electrical feed of the building was also significantly damaged by the heat and smoke from the fire. Given the extent of the smoke damage, the ceiling tiles, light fixtures, and some drywall were removed on the first floor of the Town Hall, while on the second floor, everything was removed down to the wall studs including ceiling tiles, flooring, and light fixtures. In addition, all office furniture, office equipment, and cubicles were removed. 

There was significant impact to the electrical system of the building and given the age of that system, a full electrical assessment was required. Due to the damage to the main electrical line and age of the electrical system in other areas, it was determined that all electrical needed to be removed from the building. This was the most effective option to ensure successful inspection and certification of the electrical system on reinstatement.

Remediation and Assessments

Since the fire, Town staff have been working with our insurance provider to complete the required assessments and remediation plans. The immediate concerns was cleaning the smoke damage, including removing the structural components, office furniture and equipment, and electrical systems, and completing a full vacuum and wet clean on any remaining walls, floors, doors, studding, steel beams, etc. to ensure smoke residue was removed from all surfaces. The focus at that stage of the remediation was to ensure no toxic smoke residuals remained in the building. 

Given the age and size of the building, it takes time for adjustors to complete the various system reviews and required assessments, including engineering designs, building code assessments, and required updates, needed to determine the replacement values. In particular, the building’s electrical system is complex and it has taken considerable time to complete the required design and associated replacement value. 

There are regular meetings ongoing with the insurance provider to receive updates on the process and provide information. The overall assessment process is nearing completion, and the Town expects to have final reports for review by the end of the year. 

With the extent of the smoke damage, it is prudent to take the opportunity to review the Town’s current and future needs, and consider all options for remediation and remodeling. Once the replacement values are known, Council will review options and decide on the plan forward. This work is expected to be completed before the end of the year. 

Equipment Loss

As a result of the fire, several pieces of heavy equipment were lost including the tandem dump truck which caught fire, a vac truck, asphalt recycler, and an older garbage truck. Several pieces of equipment in the depot at the time of the fire were able to be repaired including five sidewalk plows, pick-up truck, loader, side-by-side, and forklift. 

Updated: December 1, 2025