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7 people sent to hospital following apartment fire in south Edmonton

Click to play video: '7 people sent to hospital following apartment fire in Old Strathcona area'
7 people sent to hospital following apartment fire in Old Strathcona area
Seven people were taken to hospital from an apartment building on 79 Avenue near 108 Street in south Edmonton's Queen Alexandra neighbourhood, where an overnight fire broke out Friday. That happened after police were on scene for hours leading up to it, trying to enforce a court order. Sarah Komadina has the latest on the noon news – Jan 26, 2024

At least seven people were taken to hospital and others rescued from balconies due to a large overnight apartment fire in south Edmonton’s Queen Alexandra neighbourhood.

Fire crews were called to the four-storey building at 10745 79 Ave. just before 1 a.m. Friday.

A spokesperson for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) said the fire appeared to have started in a main-floor unit and quickly moved up the building in the Whyte Avenue area.

Edmonton fire crews were called to the four-storey building at 107th Street and 79th Avenue just before 1 a.m. Friday. Global News

One person suffered severe smoke inhalation, the spokesperson said.

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“No one can go in right now — the flames came right from floor one, up the balcony,” said Neil Robertson, an assistant deputy chief with EFRS.

He said eight crews responded initially. They had to use ladders to rescue residents from balconies.

Edmonton fire crews were called to the four-storey building at 107th Street and 79th Avenue just before 1 a.m. Friday. Global News

Robertson said flames were coming from all sides of the building when fire crews arrived.

On Thursday night, Edmonton police said officers were called to the building to help another agency carry out a court order against a man who had barricaded himself in his suite.

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Negotiations with the man had been going on since about 5 p.m., police said in a statement Friday morning.

Click to play video: 'Several people hospitalized after central Edmonton apartment fire'
Several people hospitalized after central Edmonton apartment fire

While police were on scene, a fire broke out in the suite where the man lived, according to police.

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The building was evacuated so crews could tackle the flames.

Just after 12:45 a.m. Friday, police said the man was taken into custody.

Robertson said the fire was brought under control around 4 a.m. As the sun came up, the extent of the damage was revealed.

The roof was burnt-through and part of the building has since collapsed.

Ariel photos show fire damage to a building near 107 Street and 79 Avenue. Courtesy: Dustin Strazza

One of the building’s residents told Global News his mother was taken to hospital in critical condition.

“She has tubes coming out of her (and) she’s unconscious, I can’t really see her right now,” Daniel Olds said.

“It’s scary, I lost everything. My mom could die, my daughter is in the hospital — it’s terrifying.”

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An aerial photo show fire damage to an apartment building in south Edmonton. Courtesy: Dustin Strazza

“The smoke was so thick, the stairwells were impassable,” said Riley Jagodnik, who lives on the fourth floor. “They got people down on ladders.

“I’m still processing what happened. This kind of thing seems to happen elsewhere.”

Cole Panchyshyn lives across the street from the fire and welcomed about 25 residents fleeing the burning apartment building.

“We had friends over and all of the sudden we looked over and the building was on fire,” he said.

“We got all of our shoes out so people who came out in flip-flops and slippers would have something to wear.”

Click to play video: 'Residents displaced in apartment fire near Whyte Avenue search for answers'
Residents displaced in apartment fire near Whyte Avenue search for answers

Edmonton Transit Service buses were brought in to provide shelter for the evacuated residents.

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Police have not confirmed if their police investigation at the building was related to the fire.

Police have said they continue to investigate. Fire investigators were at the scene as well.

Dan Jones, chair of the justice studies department at Norquest College, said while details of what exactly happened have yet to be disclosed, “the training for this (scenario) is exceptional.”

“The normal course of treatment wouldn’t be to evacuate the building unless there was a threat of explosives, fire or firearms.”

Edmonton fire crews were called to the four-storey building at 107th Street and 79th Avenue just before 1 a.m. Friday. Global News

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