Halifax only paying for demolition of fire-damaged building at Bloomfield, city now says

Firefighters work to put out a fire that destroyed a building at the former Bloomfield School in Halifax’s north end on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese)

By Mark Hodgins

Posted Apr 2, 2025 04:32:04 PM.

Last Updated Apr 3, 2025 03:43:29 PM.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has issued a clarification to information provided to CityNews Halifax regarding the demolition of the vacant Bloomfield school site.

On Wednesday, a municipal spokesperson told CityNews that the municipality would be covering the cost of demolition at the site, which includes three derelict buildings and is owned by BANC Group.

In a statement Thursday, the municipality now says there was a miscommunication, and Halifax will only be footing the bill for the demolition of one of the buildings that was significantly damaged by fire in February.

“Following its initial response to the fire at one of the three buildings at the Bloomfield site on Feb. 16, 2025, Halifax RegionalFire & Emergency (HRFE), pursuant to the Fire Safety Act, installed temporary fencing and established security at the site for public safety,” the municipality’s statement reads. “In addition, HRFE contracted a company to demolish the structure damaged by fire because of concerns with theintegrity of the building as a result of the fire.”

The statement says the city plans plans to try to recover the cost of fencing, security and demolition of the fire-damaged building from the property owner.

The municipality now says a demolition permit issued on March 11, 2025, is for the two remaining structures, and the property owner will be responsible for any costs associated with that work.

Submit a Correction

Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

Federal leaders pledge red tape cuts, skilled trades support and family doctors

OTTAWA — The Conservative and Liberal leaders are promising measures to bolster Canada's economy in the face of the trade war with the U.S., as the NDP pledges to make sure more Canadians have access...

4h ago

Halifax girl sentenced for her role in fatal stabbing of Halifax high school student

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia judge has sentenced a teenage girl to three months in a youth detention centre for her role in the stabbing death last year of 16-year-old Halifax high school student Ahmad Al...

King Charles III showing subtle signs of support for Canada amid trade war with U.S.

As Canada finds itself caught up in an escalating trade war with the United States while simultaneously facing threats of annexation from President Donald Trump, one historian at McMaster University in...

Five years without answers for family of Canadian businessman held in Chinese jail

VANCOUVER — Wang Yan vividly recalls the last time she heard her husband's voice, more than five years ago. It was Dec. 13, 2019, and Canadian citizen Li Yonghui had gone to a public square in Shijiazhuang,...

17h ago

Top Stories

Federal leaders pledge red tape cuts, skilled trades support and family doctors

OTTAWA — The Conservative and Liberal leaders are promising measures to bolster Canada's economy in the face of the trade war with the U.S., as the NDP pledges to make sure more Canadians have access...

4h ago

Halifax girl sentenced for her role in fatal stabbing of Halifax high school student

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia judge has sentenced a teenage girl to three months in a youth detention centre for her role in the stabbing death last year of 16-year-old Halifax high school student Ahmad Al...

King Charles III showing subtle signs of support for Canada amid trade war with U.S.

As Canada finds itself caught up in an escalating trade war with the United States while simultaneously facing threats of annexation from President Donald Trump, one historian at McMaster University in...

Five years without answers for family of Canadian businessman held in Chinese jail

VANCOUVER — Wang Yan vividly recalls the last time she heard her husband's voice, more than five years ago. It was Dec. 13, 2019, and Canadian citizen Li Yonghui had gone to a public square in Shijiazhuang,...

17h ago

Most Watched Today

2:44

Trump's tariffs spark push to bring back local manufacturing in Canada

As Donald Trump's trade war takes hold, there's a renewed push to buy Canadian-made products. Brandon Choghri speaks with the founder of Toronto-based Bather, who says making their goods locally is simply better for business.

2:48

Subtle signs of support from King Charles

A McMaster Royal Historian says Canada's official head of state is showing signs of solidarity with the nation in the wake of a trade war and talk of becoming the 51st state. David Zura explains.

2:04

China hits back with counter tariffs on U.S. imports

China has announced it will impose a 34 per cent retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods among a number of other countermeasures. Erica Natividad reports.

2:42

Markets suffer historic meltdown for second consecutive day

North American markets suffer huge losses for a second day after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled global tariffs. Business Analyst Kris McCusker looks at how historic the losses have been, and the one product that could end up costing less.

2:25

Tornado-ravaged central U.S. bracing for more storms

Tornado-ravaged parts of the central United States are bracing for more storms and potential flooding over the weekend. Michael Yoshida looks at the damage that's already been inflicted.