 Calgary police control the scene where many residents gathered to watch as a massive fire destroyed their building. Emotions ran high, right, as the fire spread through the complex. (Al Charest, QMI Agency)
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CALGARY - Hundreds of people are homeless after a massive fire destroyed much of a four-storey southwest condominium complex Thursday.
In less than an hour, the blaze ate its way across the roof of the 159-unit building at 23 Millrise Dr., sending massive, dark grey clouds of smoke into the sky, visible from kilometres away.
Fire crews could only fight the blaze from the exterior -- some climbing high up along aerial ladders pummelling the stubborn blaze with a relentless torrent of water -- while police blocked traffic for several surrounding blocks.
Deputy Fire Chief Len McCharles said the fire appears to have broken out on a fourth-floor balcony and by the time crews had arrived shortly after noon, it had spread into two suites, crawling its way up into the attic space where it quickly spread.
"The crews tried to knock down the fire in the suites, but strong winds blowing into the attic forced it to spread rapidly," he said, noting the building had sprinklers but officials are not certain if they were triggered.
"The cause is still under investigation."
Because the blaze broke out in the middle of the day, few people were home and the only reported injury was to a firefighter who was taken to Rockyview Hospital with minor injuries.
Five police officers exposed to smoke were treated by EMS and released.
The city has not made a decision on the fate of the building but has recommended that residents seek long-term accommodation plans as structural engineers are slated to inspect the property on Friday.
A neighbouring building, 11 Millrise Dr., which was also evacuated but not affected by the fire beyond smoke exposure, is expected to have utilities restored so residents can return.
McCharles said crews were slated to work through the night to douse hotspots and make sure no secondary blazes flare up.
By 10 p.m., some 180 residents had checked in at a city-operated emergency rescue centre at nearby Southview Alliance Church, where disaster services were assessing their needs.
The city estimates 400 people live in the complex.
Ken Hoffer, of disaster services, said people with friends and family capable of putting them up were being contacted while the city was making arrangements for others, providing food, clothing, medicine and shelter.
Calgary police Insp. Darren Cave said officers will cover the building's perimeter to make sure no one trespasses while residents are away.
As the fire raged, hundreds of people lined the streets, many on cellphones or taking photos of the blaze unfolding, as portions of the roof collapsed before the flames eventually broke through and then moved on to destroy the top level of the complex.
Gary Robertson said he couldn't believe his eyes after following the unusual clouds of smoke to the scene.
"It's amazing, it's devastating," he said.
As the fire roared and crackled, a large portion of the roof crashed down to the ground, plummeting past lawn chairs placed tidily on an upper floor balcony.
EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux said transit buses parked near the scene were filled with people evacuated from the building. Fortunately, by mid-afternoon there were no indications anyone was caught in the blaze.
"It's fortunate because it was a significant structure fire ... the primary concern was evacuating people. Most occupants were not home at the time and many had evacuated prior to emergency services arriving," he said at the scene.
nadia.moharib@sunmedia.ca
