Future uncertain for ‘totally destroyed’ Bloomfield building

The devastating fire that engulfed the former Bloomfield school in north-end Halifax has left the building “totally destroyed,” according to Deputy Fire Chief Dave Meldrum of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services. The fire, which broke out early Sunday morning, has left the interior of the building completely decimated.

Meldrum explained that the building is now too unstable for crews to enter safely. A drone survey conducted by the fire department revealed that the roof has been completely consumed by the flames, the floors are either burned out or missing, and the supporting beams have either warped, become misshapen, or collapsed.

While the exterior walls of the building are still standing, they are unsupported and at risk of collapsing. The fire department is currently investigating the cause and origin of the fire. Once the investigation is complete, the site will be turned back over to the owner, Banc Investments Ltd. The owner will then be responsible for ensuring the safety of the site, either by bracing the walls or demolishing the structure.

The Bloomfield site, which consists of three structures, including the main building and two annexes, has a long history of ownership and redevelopment plans. The school closed in 1988 and was used as a community space until it became vacant in 2014. In 2012, a bid to redevelop the site was awarded to Housing Nova Scotia, but the project was later abandoned due to financial risks.

In 2021, Banc Investments purchased the property with plans for redevelopment, but progress was stalled due to high interest rates and limited construction financing. The property has faced municipal orders to address safety concerns, including structural integrity assessments and cleanup of hazardous conditions.

Susanna Fuller, who lives near the property and was involved with the community group Imagine Bloomfield, expressed her devastation at the loss of the building. She emphasized the need for stricter conditions in redevelopment agreements to ensure progress and accountability.

The sale of the property included a provision that if construction did not commence by January 2026, the municipality could buy the property back. Fuller suggested that the province consider using the property for affordable housing to honor the community’s original vision.

The tragic fire at the Bloomfield school site serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities of urban redevelopment. As the community grapples with the loss of a historic building, discussions around accountability, safety, and future planning will be critical in shaping the site’s future.