So far, the physical and human consequences of a fire at a public housing complex in Hawkesbury in November 2025 have cost the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) $1,043,902.34.
According to a report received by UCPR Council on Wednesday, June 24, insured expenses compose $408,758.25 of the total, expenses absorbed within the UCPR operating budget, notably through financial assistance programs comprise $136,032.62, and the extraordinary expenses funded by the UCPR comprise $499,111.47.
During the night of November 29 to 30, 2025, a fire broke out at 810 Portelance Street in Hawkesbury. The building, which contained 30 social housing units, was home to 54 residents at the time. A full evacuation was required to ensure the safety of all occupants. Staff from Social Services and the Building Services attended the site and remained mobilized until the early morning hours to support emergency operations and address the immediate needs of affected residents. A temporary reception centre was established at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex. Seventeen households representing 30 adults and children, including nine pets were temporarily housed in hotels between November 30, 2025, and January 15, 2026. Prepaid cards distributed by the Red Cross on the day of the fire helped cover immediate essential needs, with the associated costs being assumed by Social Services. In the days following the fire, eligible tenants received reimbursement of their December rent. Financial assistance was available up to $1,000 for an individual and up to $1,800 for a family, depending on the household’s composition and circumstances.
In addition to the direct consequences of the fire, break-ins were reported at the building despite it having been secured and boarded up. These criminal acts resulted in thefts from various units. In response, security personnel were retained to provide continuous on-site monitoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Since the fire, significant legal costs have been incurred as a result of an application filed by certain tenants with the Landlord and Tenant Board regarding disputed matters related to the termination of their leases. In addition, substantial impacts have resulted from the implementation of safety measures arising from professional reports identifying the presence of contaminants. Although these reports indicated risks associated with the return of tenants’ personal belongings, the Board nevertheless ordered that all belongings, whether contaminated or not, be removed from the building, stored in pod-style storage units, and, where contamination was confirmed, decontaminated by specialized professionals. In certain cases, and in accordance with the recommendations of the UCPR’s legal counsel, some tenants chose to receive financial compensation rather than recover their belongings. The next hearings before the Landlord and Tenant Board are scheduled for July 29, 30 and 31, 2026.
To expedite covering the expenses involved with the fire, the UCPR used the emergency provisions of its procurement bylaw to bypass the usual competitive contract process.
At the June 24 UCPR Council meeting, Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski said that given the costs associated with the aftermath of the fire, he would like to see a summary of costs associated with emergency procurement. Tarnowski said he has no doubts about how funds are being spent but wants to ensure transparency.
