Work is starting Tuesday to demolish the building that hosted Steveston's Super Grocer & Pharmacy for 45 years.
According to the latest update from the City of Richmond, No. 1 Road between Moncton and Chatham streets will remain closed for the next few days until work on the building has been completed.
The road has been closed since last Friday evening when a devastating fire ripped through the beloved establishment that once served as a "one-stop-shop" for community members.
Richmond Fire-Rescue is asking community members to avoid the area until the deconstruction process is complete due to "the off-gassing of smells and post-fire gas and smoke."
The city has also asked community members to stay clear so crews can carry out the work safely.
Jim Wishlove, Richmond Fire-Rescue fire chief, confirmed no one was injured from the fire.
"As well, with the very aggressive firefighting efforts and tactics employed on Friday evening by the RFR Emergency Response crews, no other structures were impacted by the fire," he said.
"There was some adjacent smoke and water impact to localized businesses, which is unfortunate but correctable."
He added the owner of Super Grocer has hired a remediation company to work on removing the building and burned debris and work is expected to take place this week.
In an update posted on Super Grocer's website, the business said the surviving structure was found by structural engineers to be "unstable" and had to be torn down.
Super Grocer plans to reopen its pharmacy once it finds a suitable space in Steveston, but in the meantime, it will be setting up an office in Richmond to help patients access their medication. Further updates will be posted on its website.
The City of Richmond has also put out a notice saying patients can get an emergency supply from another pharmacy or their doctor by showing their prescription or pill bottle and a valid piece of ID.
"We hope that a quick response from our insurer and support from the city will allow us to re-establish our store in the community," reads the update.
- With files from Maria Rantanen
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