Edmonton Journal

Fire crews stage balcony rescues while fighting blaze in west end

Complex evacuated on the same day fire-alarm testing was to occur

- NICOLE BERGOT AND CLAIRE THEOBALD With files from Trevor Robb

Some residents in a west Edmonton four-storey apartment complex thought a Thursday morning fire alarm was just a test until they were alerted to smoke and flames billowing from a third-storey suite.

David Elder woke to the fire alarm at Westridge Estates, 7611 172 St., just after 8 a.m., but because there was alarm testing scheduled for the day, he ignored the alert until he soon smelled smoke and opened the door of his third-floor unit.

“The whole hallway was pure black from smoke,” said Elder, who quickly grabbed his cats and shoved them into a crate, calling 911 from his balcony.

He watched as a woman above him on the fourth floor used what appeared to be a rope to lower herself down to the balcony below her own. Both Elder and the woman were helped to safety by firefighte­rs. Firefighte­rs had to rescue one woman with mobility issues stuck inside a fourth-storey suite. She was one of two people taken to hospital as a precaution.

District fire Chief Jim Solkowski said the fire affected 102 suites and many residents were displaced.

“We got to this fire really quick and, as you can see, we saved a good portion of this building,” said Solkowski. “We did take a few people off balconies as the guys pulled up right away.”

‘IT’S A REAL FIRE! GET OUT!’

Before fire crews arrived, dozens of people were seen shouting from the parking lot as flames shot out from the third-storey suite. Vehicles along 170 Street pulled over with their hazard lights blinking to allow fire crews to pass as black smoke from the blaze wafted as far as West Edmonton Mall.

At least eight fire trucks and 40 firefighte­rs were on scene battling the blaze, which was not declared under control until 11 a.m. Flames from the third-storey suite quickly engulfed the fourth-storey suite above as firefighte­rs doused the roof with water.

Fire officials later said investigat­ors were bringing in a dog trained to find accelerant­s. However, a cause had not been determined Thursday evening.

Irene Henley, who lives in an adjacent building, said she heard her dog Amiga howling when the fire broke out.

“I heard the alarm and I wasn’t moving because they put a sign up saying that they were fixing the alarm system from the 13th to the 17th,” said Henley. “But the dog was howling, so I went on to my balcony and my neighbour said, ‘Irene! It’s a real fire! Get out!’ “

Henley said she saw a shirtless man walking around after he appeared to jump from a third-storey balcony.

Kerry Upright said she was staying alone in a friend’s suite on the third floor right next to the unit where the fire started. She said she heard someone yelling from her balcony. “I heard a man screaming, ‘Get out of the building.’”

She stood shivering outside as she waited for a friend to pick her up. Buses were soon available for those stuck outside to warm up.

‘SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO’

Ayse Alper, who also lives on the third floor where the fire broke out, was in tears because she had to evacuate without her four-month-old white cat Fistik.

“There was smoke, I couldn’t find him. He was hiding,” said Alper, who was still in tears when firefighte­rs brought Fistik out to her in a crate.

“I was so happy. I don’t care about my home, but my cat is more important than anything.”

Solkowski said fire crews reunited a number of pets with their owners.

“It makes it so much easier for them; at least they have something to hold on to,” he said.

Firefighte­rs continued to douse hot spots Thursday afternoon.

 ?? IAN KUCERAK ?? Firefighte­rs battle a blaze at Westridge Estates in the city’s west end on Thursday. Eight trucks were called to the complex after an alarm went off around 8 a.m. The blaze was under control by 11 a.m.
IAN KUCERAK Firefighte­rs battle a blaze at Westridge Estates in the city’s west end on Thursday. Eight trucks were called to the complex after an alarm went off around 8 a.m. The blaze was under control by 11 a.m.

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