Smoke and water damage still have some sections of GPRC closed after a fire broke out Friday. President Don Gnatiuk says they know the fire was on the roof of the B wing but they are still waiting to hear from the fire department about the official cause. He says right now access is limited to the A, B and C wings.
“We’ve been spending the last day or so moving people to alternate offices and work spaces. Classes have been moved to other parts of the building. We’ve also tried to relocate any of the events of activities elsewhere in the college as we can.”
Crews are working on cleaning up the area but Gnatiuk says that he believes it they will be working at it for “quite some time.”
So far access to the area has been limited to mostly cleaners but if any staff or students need to access the area he says arrangements can be made. There’s been no damage estimate made available yet either now it will just but Gnatiuk believes it is all repairable.
“Obviously there will be roof repairs and drywall and water damage but nothing that will be permanent. I think we can have it all repaired.”
Gnatiuk praised the Grande Prairie Fire Department and their quick response. They did have to evacuate some people from the building, most of them staff. Gnatiuk noted the timing of the fire helped the situation.
“We’re thankful that it happened after exams. That it happened on a Friday. There was minimal impact and no one was hurt.”
The call to the fire department was placed around dinner time on Friday.