Watch above: Raw video of the fire captured by Global’s Mike Sobel.
EDMONTON – A massive cloud of black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky over west Edmonton’s Callingwood neighbourhood Wednesday afternoon.
Fifty firefighters ended up battling the blaze that broke out shortly after 12:30 p.m. at Surrey Gardens, a complex of two-storey condos in the area of 178 St. and 69 Ave.
Police quickly arrived at the scene to evacuate residents, and they may have had some help getting people to safety.
“People were knocking on doors — one fellow was able to get a couple out. One of our residents is blind and he got him out in a hurry and they were in extreme danger,” said Bill Blythe, vice-president of the condo board.
“Everybody seemed really shaken up and not really understanding what was going on,” added resident Jim Thibaudeau. “A lot of lives changed today.”
By the time crews arrived, Deputy Chief Barry Lamb said two units were already ablaze. The fire spread to six more units before crews were able to contain it through what Lamb describes as a “really aggressive attack.”
“Time of the day was helpful too,” he said. “This would be a challenge at 2 a.m.”
Aside from a man who suffered burns to his hand, no injuries were reported.
A cat was missing, though.
Above: The Global 1 helicopter flies over the scene.
Of the roughly 72 suites that were evacuated, 24 will remain empty overnight. In addition to the eight suites that were completely destroyed, another four were badly damaged in the fire.
The Red Cross has been called in to help affected residents.
“I’m just saddened by this…all these people displaced. It’s very unfortunate. But I do think that we are lucky that no lives were lost,” said Blythe.
He said there hasn’t been a fire at the complex in probably 20 years, and the last one was contained to only one unit.
“Nothing ever to this extent.”
The damage is pegged at approximately $1.5 million. The cause is still under investigation.
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