EDMONTON- Fire crews battled a massive apartment fire in Stony Plain well into the night Thursday.
The fire broke out at Sonora apartments, located at 47th Street and 49th Avenue, around 6:45 p.m.
Sonora apartments consists of two three-storey multi-unit buildings, one of which was destroyed by fire.
“We don’t know if it started on the second or third floor, but when fire crews arrived… the fire was on the second and third floor in the first and second unit and moving eastbound,” said Rudy Zacharias, communications coordinator with the Town of Stony Plain.
Both buildings were evacuated as crews worked to contain the blaze. RCMP say strong wind gusts did not help crews in their battle, as the wind caused the fire to rapidly spread.
“As soon as I walked out of my apartment what I noticed was the wall of heat that hit me and the crackling of flames, and I looked across and I saw the top part of the building was already engulfed in flames,” said resident Brad Fossheim.
He says the fire department showed up quickly, but says he was surprised by how quickly the fire spread.
“It just jumped from apartment to apartment and just dashed to the other side of the building before (firefighters) could even get set up. It was just phenomenal to see.”
Many residents gathered outside, helpless, as they watched their homes go up in flames.
“I panicked a little bit,” said Amiee Outten, who was driving home from work when she saw flames coming out of the building.
“I just want my cats to be okay, that’s all. I could care less about everything else, I can buy that stuff again. I just want my cats to be okay.”
There were no injuries reported, but town officials say 50 to 60 people have been affected by the fire, many of whom are staying with family or friends. The Canadian Red Cross has been called in to help about 16 others find housing for the night.
Stony Plain and District Victim Services Unit is also assisting with displaced residents.
The Town of Stony Plain says donations of clothing and bedding for those affected by the fire can be dropped off at the Legion between 10:00 p.m. and midnight Thursday, and between 8:00 a.m. and noon Friday.
There is no damage estimate at this time however, town officials say the building will be a complete write off.
Golf Course Road was completely shut down to traffic for several hours Thursday night, but reopened to traffic shortly after 10:00 p.m.
The following video was captured on the scene by Ross Neitz, as crews battled the blaze Thursday evening.
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