Arson unit probes $12M blaze
Condition of building slows investigation
The police arson unit, along with fire department investigators, continues to probe a $12-million Christmas Day fire in north Edmonton that destroyed five businesses.
Firefighters were called to the fire at a shopping plaza at 127th Street and 137th Avenue shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday, and arrived to find smoke and flames shooting from the Bonanza Restaurant.
A damaged pickup truck was discovered inside the charred restaurant, which was destroyed. Nobody was found in the truck.
The cause of the fire hasn’t yet been determined, but investigators have deemed it suspicious.
“This is still a suspicious fire being investigated ... but it has not been dubbed an arson as yet. Due to conditions and the extent of the damage, our investigations are proceeding, but slowly,” Staff Sgt. Howard Kunce of the police arson unit said in an emailed statement.
Police seized the pickup truck, which will be examined for evidence, Kunce said.
Four other businesses were also destroyed in the blaze, which kept firefighters battling flames overnight in frigid temperatures. A Dollarama shop, Love Boutique, Treasury Chinese Restaurant and Love Your Pet Animal Care were gutted.
Edmonton Fire Rescue spokeswoman Chrystal Coleman said there were no pets inside the grooming businesses at the time of the fire.
Three other businesses — a daycare, Belvedere Sport and Cycle and Cora Restaurant — sustained smoke and water damage.
Crews continue to demolish the charred skeletons of the destroyed businesses.