EDMONTON – Two people have died from injuries they suffered during an apartment fire in the Oliver neighbourhood Sunday.
The Edmonton Police Service confirmed a child is one of the two victims.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I can confirm today that there have been in fact two deaths associated with the high-rise fire event yesterday,” said Chief Ken Block with Edmonton Fire Rescue on Monday.
“It’s not a good day, it’s never a good day when we lose soemone to a fire.”
Block said the other victim was a male in his forties, and that the child and the man were in the same suite.
Five people were also injured in the blaze, according to fire officials.
Fire crews were called to the Oak Tower high rise building, located at 117th Street and 101st Avenue, around 11:00 Sunday morning.
“Smoke started billowing from the unit and literally within 30 seconds, flames just started erupting from it. It was amazing to watch, because there were a lot of people looking out their windows, looking down at the fire within the building, and they weren’t even aware of what was going on,” said Robert McLeod, who watched the fire from across the street.
On Sunday, Alberta Health Services confirmed five patients, including a young girl, were taken by ambulance to the University of Alberta Hospital.
“There are a number of them that have a number of issues related to fire and smoke inhalation. Right now we don’t have any confirmation on their condition,” said Deputy Fire Chief John Lamb, with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. “There was two people that we are very concerned about.”
The 11- storey building was evacuated, as crews worked to contain the blaze.
“I thought, for an instant, about not doing anything, not moving. But I did open the door and I could smell the smoke,” said Tracy Goss, who lives on the second floor.
“We gathered the cats together. That was it. Just threw them in the crates and by the time we got to the stairwell three floors were covered in smoke,” said Nicholas Vojvodic, who lives on the tenth floor. “We went through three floors of thick smoke.”
Both Goss and Vojvodic say their hearts go out to those who were injured in the fire.
“It’s just, it’s devastating,” Goss said. “I don’t have small children, but there’s many families that live in this building, many small children.”
“We saw three people coming out on stretchers and it looked like they were getting CPR. So, it doesn’t look too good,” Vojvodic said. “We were scared for other people.”
About 60 firefighters worked to contain the three-alarm fire, which was put out by 12:15 Sunday afternoon. Officials say it was a tough battle and many firefighters were sent for immediate rehydration.
“Fighting a fire in a high-rise building is always a challenge for firefighters. We have water issues and we can only go two floors below the fire. We have to take control of the elevator,” said District Chief John Bower. “So, there’s a lot of issues involved in fighting high rise fires.”
“A number of those firefighters worked very hard today. It was a hot fire. It was a smoky fire. There were a number of people helped out of the building,” Lamb explained.
It is not known what caused the fire. However, damage was contained to the 8th and 9th floors.
On Monday, Block said early estimates show about $600,000 in damage.
“There’s going to be extensive water damage throughout the building, not to mention the fire damage,” Lamb explained.
He says residents who live on the lower floors of the building may be allowed back in their suites Sunday evening however, “there’s going to be a number of folks who can’t go back tonight.”
A nearby school opened its doors as a meeting point for those forced from their homes Sunday. The Red Cross has been called in to assist with over 100 displaced residents.
The Canadian Red Cross Emergency Response Team is providing emergency food, clothing and shelter to those affected.
“Our hearts and our prayers go out to those families and the people affected here today,” Lamb said.
Fire crews have blocked off a large section of roadways in the area. Both 116th and 117th Streets from Jasper Avenue to 104th Avenue will be closed for the next few hours.
The following video was sent in to Global News from viewer Robert McLeod.
The following video was sent in to Global News from viewer Jen Caron:
With files from Laurel Clark, Global News.
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