Cause of Progressive fire deemed electrical
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/10/2023 (797 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The fire that damaged Progressive Westman’s location at 372 Park Avenue East was electrical, according to the company.
On Friday, company owner Spencer Day wrote in a media release that investigators’ report on the situation stated, “fire was accidental and electrical originating at receptacle under staircase in warehouse on back side of bathroom.”
Speaking to the Sun on Sunday, Day said that determination was made by an investigator working for his insurance provider.
Firefighters keep an eye on hotspots after a fire tore through Progressive Westman’s building on Park Avenue East earlier this month. Owner Spencer Day told the Sun on Sunday that investigators working for his insurance provider have determined that the fire was accidental and electrical. (File)
At this point, the superstructure of the building — the above ground components — is considered to be a write-off while there’s still hope the concrete slab and foundation can be salvaged and rebuilt upon.
The incident at the sanitation supplies, equipment and uniform rental company occurred in the early hours of Oct. 13, with Brandon Fire and Emergency Services dispatching members around 3 a.m.
No one was injured in the blaze, but hotspots were still being watched by firefighters as of noon the same day.
Progressive’s release also stated the company has set up a temporary location at nearby 386 Park Avenue East. Day said this was thanks to Shreem Solutions, which recently purchased the space but has yet to move into it while it waits for designs to be drawn up for renovations.
The company is looking for a bigger interim space to fulfill its needs during the replacement of its original facility, one that can house the laundry equipment it requires.
Despite the fire destroying much of Progressive’s stock, Day said they were operational again the Monday after it happened.
Doing so involved ordering semi-trailers full of supplies before the temporary location had been established and working with partners in Winnipeg to have soiled laundry shipped to them for cleaning and then returned to Brandon.
While Day said he thought he had a close-knit team before the fire, their connection has only intensified since.
“Our staff have worked incredibly hard to ensure that we have been up and running all the way through this. Words truly cannot express the gratitude I feel for them, my family, our customers, and suppliers and for this community, as everyone has joined in to help in any way they could,” Day said.
“We will remain committed to serving the needs of this community, as we walk the road to getting back to our own home as soon as we can.”
Progressive Westman, founded in 2009, employs 35 full-time staff.
» cslark@brandonsun.com
» X: @ColinSlark