LUMSDEN HOTEL FIRE INVESTIGATION COMPLETE

Released on December 17, 1998

Provincial Fire Commissioner Rick McCullough today said that the

investigation of the fire at the Lumsden Hotel has been completed.

The investigation showed that the fire originated in the ceiling of

the second floor, although the specific cause could not be determined.



The insured building was completely destroyed by fire on November 21,

1998 with damages in excess of $600,000.



The investigation was conducted by the Office of the Fire

Commissioner, in co-operation with the RCMP and the Lumsden Volunteer

Fire Department.



McCullough said that although the building was destroyed all patrons

and staff in the hotel at the time of the fire escaped safely. The

Lumsden fire department was on the scene quickly and with the

assistance of the Craven and Regina fire departments prevented the

fire from spreading to nearby buildings.



Each year in Saskatchewan fire causes more than $30 million dollars in

property loss as well as indirect costs related to loss of business

and jobs. The Fire Commissioner said that these losses can be

reduced.



Fire safety can be practiced in the home by installing and

checking batteries on smoke alarms, keeping Christmas trees

watered and lighting in proper repair, keeping matches and

lighters away from children and using safe cooking practices.



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For more information contact:



Maureen Boyle

Communications Branch

Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-5959