By paNOW

Investigation of P.A. Airport blaze to begin today

Apr 19, 2018 | 1:00 PM

A team of investigators are heading to the P.A. Airport Thursday to start sifting through the debris and wreckage following the massive fire which consumed a hangar late Sunday night.

The historic Transwest Air maintenance facility was destroyed, along with an unknown number of aircraft.

P.A. Fire Chief Jason Everitt told paNOW they have been preparing to move investigators and necessary equipment onto the site, but it was also important to let the fire scene “off-gas” for safety reasons.

“As fires burn and become suppressed there are still considerable gases that can be released from the scene, so we want to give that a little time to cool down and make it more tenable for our members to be in there,” Everitt said.

The fire chief said it was also important to have Transwest’s insurance representatives on hand when they explore the site, so they work as a team and process the scene methodically. Normally, a fire scene can be investigated using shovels and other hand tools, but Everitt said the debris and wreckage in this case was so large and extensive they will be using heavy equipment.

International honours

Raiders' Kubiesa to represent Czechia at IIHF U18 Men's World Championship

2h ago

Learn the signs

How often should you change your brakes?

6h ago

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 2

6h ago

“We do require heavy equipment and the operator of that will take direction from our investigators,” he said. “We want to be very strategic on moving pieces of debris so that we don’t lose important evidence.”

Everitt couldn’t say how long the investigation would take, but noted the snowfall this week would not have compromised any evidence.

Members of the Prince Albert Police service are also participating in the investigation.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow