EDMONTON – The fire that caused $3 million of damage in the Callingwood neighbourhood could have potentially claimed lives, had it not been for the actions of a letter carrier and some Good Samaritans.
James Grant was working his usual mail route Wednesday afternoon, in the area of 180 St. And 69 Ave., when he suddenly heard a loud bang.
“I hit the ground,” he said. “I was really scared when it happened, I’m not going to kid you. At first I thought someone was trying to shoot me.”
When Grant looked up, he saw flames shooting out of Surrey Gardens – a complex he’s gotten to know well over the last couple years.
“I deliver to these people,” he explained. “There’s a few elderly people and some handicap people.”
Worried certain residents wouldn’t be able to get out of their homes quickly enough on their own, Grant sprang into action and directed help to those he knew needed it most.
“People were so nice,” Grant says. “People off the street, people that were walking by ran over, they drove over…it was a beautiful sight to see everyone helping out. No one batted an eye.”
Thanks to their efforts and those of police, everyone was able to get out safely. The most serious injury was a burnt hand.
Crews aggressively fought the blaze, the cause of which is still under investigation.
Despite their efforts, though, firefighters weren’t able to keep the flames from destroying eight units. A dozen other suites have been deemed too dangerous to return to for the time-being.
Above: The Global 1 helicopter flies over the aftermath of the fire that tore through the Surrey Gardens Complex.
The Red Cross is helping those who have been displaced, including Nola Gaskell.
She wasn’t allowed back into her home due to its structural damage, and doesn’t know whether any of her belongings will be salvageable.
Still, as she faces the uncertainty of what lies ahead, Gaskell says she’s just grateful that nobody was seriously hurt.
“I think that’s wonderful. God bless the people that helped.”
With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News
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