The municipality has reported that approximately 180 individuals are currently displaced from their homes due to an early-morning fire that occurred on Monday at an apartment building located on Hanwell Drive in Middle Sackville. This incident has led to significant disruption in the lives of the affected residents.

According to a statement released by the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), fire crews have remained on-site overnight to monitor hot spots within the structure. The ongoing efforts to ensure safety have resulted in extensive structural damage to the building, raising concerns about the safety of individual units and the associated underground parkade.

As of now, HRM has not provided a timeline for when residents will be able to safely return to their apartments to retrieve personal belongings. The statement indicated that due to the severity of the damage and the continuous safety assessments being conducted, it remains unclear when, or if, residents will be granted access back into their units.

Halifax Fire officials have committed to keeping the property owner informed on the situation. The owner is responsible for sharing updates with the residents, which adds another layer of communication as the affected individuals navigate this unexpected situation.

In terms of immediate assistance, the city has reported that families from 43 out of the 64 units within the building have already registered with the Red Cross for support. An evacuation center has been established at the Springfield Lake Recreation Centre, which will be open to assist those affected from Tuesday, operating between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. This resource aims to provide temporary relief and aid to those impacted by the fire.

As investigations continue, details surrounding the cause of the fire remain unclear. Authorities are working diligently to uncover the circumstances that led to this devastating incident, but no information has been released at this time.

As the situation develops, the municipality and emergency services are focused on ensuring the safety of all affected individuals and restoring some level of normalcy in their lives. Further updates are expected as assessments progress and more information becomes available to both the municipality and the residents.