The Calgary Fire Department was on the scene of a roof collapse at the Fairview Arena on Tuesday afternoon.
The arena’s roof could be seen completely collapsed just after 4:30 p.m.
The arena, built in 1972, is attached to the Fairview Community Centre.
EMS was also called to the scene but no injuries had been reported as of 5:15 p.m.
WATCH: Calgary emergency crews were called to the Fairview Arena Tuesday after the roof collapsed. Gary Bobrovitz reports.
According to a letter sent to arena users obtained by Global News, the facility was closed on Monday as of 7 p.m. after a “small structural issue.”
“The city engineers are looking into the situation and they are hoping to be able to tell us within a couple of days on how long we will have to be closed,” the letter reads.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. I will let you know as soon as I know what is happening and how we will be handling refunds, etc.”
Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke said it’s too early to know what caused the collapse.
“Any time a roof collapses it’s very serious,” Henke said.
“Yesterday it was brought to our attention, we brought in other city partners — the building department — they assessed it, deemed it unsafe and closed the building so there should have been nobody inside.”
On Tuesday night, the fire department issued a news release to say concerns about the building’s structural integrity prompted safety code officers with the city to issue a “cease occupancy order.” The fire department also confirmed nobody was in the building at the time of the roof’s collapse and no injuries were reported.
Soon after the collapse, Henke said firefighters were keeping a lookout for signs of noxious substances such as ammonia, which is often found at arenas.
“We do have the resources on hand should there be any issues. My understanding is that some of the utilities were shut off previously as a result of the building being closed down.”
The fire department later confirmed ammonia had been shut off by an approved contractor along with utilities. It also confirmed the roof suffered substantial damage and that there was a “possibility that some walls may also be at risk of coming down.”
“Firefighters have created a safety perimeter, and fencing will be put in place to protect citizens and property from any possible falling debris. Security will also be established at the site.”
Meanwhile, Rocky View County fire crews responded to another roof collapse Tuesday evening.
Fire officials told Global News part of the roof gave way due to heavy snow.
There were horses inside the barn, but none were injured and were being moved to another facility where it’s safer. Officials said the roof collapsed over the shop area, not over the area the horses were.
Fire Chief Randy Smith said he’s never seen this much snow in his four years as chief and called this amount an anomaly.