Fire in south Edmonton housing complex causes over $1M in damages

Apr 21 2020, 6:37 pm

A fire that started in an Edmonton housing complex Monday morning caused over $1 million in damages, and has left one family displaced.

Edmonton Fire and Rescue Services said they “received multiple calls yesterday morning (with the initial call coming in at 7 a.m.) reporting that an exterior wall and roof of a fourplex were on fire.”

“Fire crews arrived on scene at 39 Avenue and 38 Street at 7:04 a.m. to a fully involved structure fire. A second alarm fire was declared at 7:11 a.m. Fire crews worked hard to fight the flames, bringing it under control by 8:04 a.m.”

One family was displaced as a result of the fire, but no injuries were reported.

“All four units were damaged. The two centre units had extensive fire and smoke damage throughout the suites with portions of the roof being fully consumed,” says EFRS communications advisor Britanny Lewchuk.

“The fire breached the doors and windows on the rear of the property and then spread to the interior. Both outer units suffered varying degrees of smoke and water damage within, as well as the attic and roof structure suffering fire impingement.”

According to EFRS, fire investigators are estimating $1,050,000 in damages: $300,000 to contents and $750,000 to the structure.

“This fire originated in an outdoor planter and was caused by improperly discarded smoking material,” says Lewchuk.

“Edmonton Fire Rescue Services would like to remind Edmontonians that some of the most dangerous and devastating fires are caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials.”

In 2019, the city experienced an estimated loss of $6,870,480 as a result of smoking material fires, caused by 68 fire events.

In 2020, from January to April, the city has experienced an estimated loss of $2,158,576 from smoking material fires due to 22 fire events.

Rumneek JohalRumneek Johal

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