EDMONTON – Fifty people have been forced out of their homes after a fast-moving blaze burned a three-story Stony Plain apartment complex to the ground Thursday evening.
“He was working, I was working – we both came home to a blaze,” recalls Amie Outten, describing how she and her husband Joel found out about the fire.
They are staying with family while they sort out their living situation.
The Outtens have insurance, but they know many in their building do not.
“We did, but the people beside us didn’t and the people across from us didn’t.”
The fire broke out at Sonora apartments, located at 47th Street and 49th Avenue, around 6:45 p.m.
Two apartment buildings were evacuated as crews worked to contain the blaze. 36 units were destroyed.
More than 60 firefighters tried to bring the fire under control. Officials say strong wind gusts did not help crews in their battle, as the wind caused the fire to rapidly spread.
“Wind was our major culprit as far as the flames spread,” explained Dan Badry, Stony Plain fire chief.
“By the time our crews arrived on site, it had spread almost three-quarters of the way up to the fire wall, which is about halfway up the building.”
Fire crews had the fire under control around 9:30 p.m. but remained on scene all night to monitor for hot spots.
Badry says the building is not likely salvageable.
He confirms all the residents made it out safely. However, six animals died in the fire.
“I was worried about them all night, I wasn’t sure if they were going to get out or not,” shares Outten.
Her two cats were found safe by firefighters Friday morning.
“We asked if we could go in and they said no, and then they said ‘well, we can check’ … They brought Kiwi out first, and then they said, ‘is there one more?’ and I said ‘yeah,’ and then they got him out.”
Appropriately, Outten’s second cat is named Lucky.
“They were hiding in behind pieces of the roof that collapsed,” she explains.
The Town of Stony Plain says four cats and two dogs died in the fire.
Outten knows the woman who lost a pet dog.
“I don’t think the dog made it. They couldn’t find it. It was in a kennel so…”
“I feel pretty fortunate,” admitted Outten, holding one of her cats, “but I also feel pretty bad for her,” she said, holding back tears.
While the Outtens admit they “have no idea” what’s next, they want to help their neighbours as much as possible.
“We know a lot of people, and if we can try to help out people, we will.”
That seems to be the general sentiment within the community.
The Town of Stony Plain issued a request for donations to help those affected by the fire at 9:30 Thursday night.
By noon Friday, it had received more than enough material donations.
“We filled that hall right full,” said Buck Coutts, the second vice president of the Stony Plain Royal Canadian Legion. “There’s a 53-foot trailer here, we’ve hauled seven truckloads away already and one more big trailer.”
Now, the community has set up a trust fund to offer financial support to the Sonora apartment residents.
“We are amazed at the generosity of people in our community and thank everybody for the support,” said Stony Plain Mayor, William Choy, on Twitter.
The Canadian Red Cross is now conducting a needs-assessment at the Stony Plain Royal Canadian Legion for 48 people affected by the fire.
The Red Cross will be providing emergency food, clothing and accommodation for the next 72 hours as required. Individuals affected by this fire who require Red Cross assistance are asked to visit the Legion or call 1-888-800-6493.
Stony Plain and District Victim Services Unit has also been assisting with displaced residents.
Volunteers, including high school students who had the day off, are helping sort through the donations at the Legion.
Sonora apartments consist of two three-storey multi-unit buildings, one of which was destroyed by fire. Early estimates peg the damage at more than $4 million.
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