Resident of Regina apartment that burned on weekend in limbo after emergency housing support ends

Thomas Pizzey says he has nowhere to go after an apartment fire in Regina left him and 30 other tenantswithout their homes on the weekend.

Regina Fire and Protective Services says it is still investigatinga fire that broke out at the residential apartment building on the 1100 block of McIntosh Street in Regina's Rosemont-Mount Royal neighbourhood.

The fire was reported around 11 p.m. CST Saturday, andresponding firefighters entered the three-storey building and contained the blaze to one unit, according to Regina Fire.

No injuries have been reported, but Pizzey said it was quite the scene.

"Somebody was saying there's fire coming out of the roof and all that, so I came out of the building and then I saw the side of the building, on the opposite side of where I live, was all on fire."

Pizzey, who is on disability assistance, said the Red Cross has been paying for him to stay ina Thriftlodge hotel, but that support expired Tuesday and he does not know where he will go next.

"I just have my van, that's it," he said. "No place for tomorrow or the next day."

In a statement, the Canadian Red Cross said itprovided support in the aftermath of the apartment fire.

"Red Cross support included emergency lodging and financial assistance for clothing and personal needs. The Red Cross also provided referrals to additional organizations for longer-term housing and other supports," the statement said.

"I guessI'll be sleeping in my van somewhere until we hear back from the rental company," Pizzey said.

JML properties, which operates the building, said Tuesday in a statement that all residents and pets were safely evacuated.

"Residents now have access to their belongings, and we are continuing to work closely with them to address any additional needs. Our team is assessing the situation and will provide updates regarding timelines for further steps as soon as possible," the statement said.

Pizzey said he spent two hours on Tuesday morning collecting his "basic stuff," and that there was only smoke damage in his unit. He said some tenants have suffered more severe damage to their units.

He said they are being told to come back in two weeks or so to collect more of their stuff.

Pizzeysaid there were "people trying to get into the apartment" to loot it.

Pizzey said the Ministry of Social Services has not provided any coverage.

In a statement, the ministry said it encourages any tenants impacted by the apartment fire in Regina over the weekend who lack the means to pay for emergency shelter to reach out to the ministry to be connected to services.

"Ministry of Social Services staff have been reaching out to income assistance clients who were tenants at that building address to help connect them to services and supports to meet their current and future needs," the ministry said.

Pizzey said that so far the ministry has provided him nothing and his case worker has "no approval yet to release any funds" for his situation.

"My friend was nice enough to give me a sleeping bag and a pillow for my car," he said. "I might be able to sleep atWalmart parkingfor now."