A set of stairs in West Trail damaged by fire Saturday evening is expected to be closed indefinitely.
Capt. Grant Tyson of Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire and Rescue said the fire was put out quickly, in part because of how close it was to the fire hall. “[Firefighters] could see it when they opened the door,” he said.
The stairs in question connect Glover Road to B Street Park. It was the upper section that was damaged.
Tyson said they believe that the fire started in a homeless encampment, although they are not sure what was being burned. The fire spread first to some grass and then to the stairs.
Firefighters spent just over an hour on the scene and dug a trench to ensure the fire spread no further. The city has blocked the stairs off for now.
A concrete apartment building is adjacent to the stairs, but was not damaged. An occupant was already spraying a garden hose when crews arrived.
According to the City of Trail, the fire has left the affected portion of the staircase unsafe. The city has blocked the stairs off and posted signs.
The condition of staircase will be evaluated as part of the broader staircase investigation that is currently underway. That study is expected to provide an overall assessment of the city’s stairs network in the nerxt few months along with cost estimates for repairs and replacements. Until then, the damaged staircase will remain closed.
