Watson Lake's dilapidated Campbell Block apartment shuttered

The Liard First Nation has been forced to shut down a derelict housing unit it owns.

Residents of the Campbell Block were evicted last week. ScottMacLean, Watson Lake Fire Chief,says the building needs numerous upgrades to make it habitable.

"There are multiple safety issues and fire code violations that arebeyond the point of repair in the owner's mind and they decided to voluntarily comply with the order to close it," he said.

Campbell Blockis located betweenWatson Lake's well-known Sign Post Forest and the community's recreation centre. The building is run down, has garbage and alcohol bottles strewn around itand has no locks on the doors.

MacLean says five or six residents are affected. Residents were notified by the First Nation and given just five days to vacate the building.

Officials at the Liard First Nation could not be reached for comment.