Large fire destroys condo building under construction in northwest Calgary

Fire investigators are working to determine what cause a massive fire that destroyed a condo building under construction in northwest Calgary.

Fire crews were called to the three-storey building located in the 100 block of Arbour Lake Road, shortly before 5 p.m. on Friday.

A second alarm was immediately called with additional firefighters arriving within minutes.

A spokesperson for Calgary fire told Global News crews quickly went into defensive fire attack mode, setting up water towers to protect structures on either side of the blaze, while also trying to contain the fire.

No one was inside the building at the time of the blaze and no injuries were reported. Calgary Fire Department’s Carol Henke said construction workers were still on scene when the fire started.

Fire investigators were interviewing the workers to determine the cause of the blaze.

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Fire officials said 28 homes that surrounded the building were evacuated as a precaution and residents have since returned home.

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“Due to the direction and the volume of the smoke and wind, there was concern with the homes on the other side of the street so a division was set up there to help with evacuations, so crews did an amazing job to protect the exposure on either side,” said Batt. Chief Alistair Robin with the Calgary Fire Department.

“As we were driving through, we weren’t sure if we were able to get through so we tried to move as fast and efficiently and safely as we could. We could certainly feel the heat from the flames as we drove past,” said Vicky Fitzpatrick who lives in the area.

Evacuated residents were directed to a neighbourhood clubhouse while firefighters brought the flames under control.

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Firefighters at the scene told Global News the only salvageable portion of the building is the concrete pad it was constructed on.

Fire crews remained on site into the night dousing hot spots.