Calgary Fire Department Responds to Downtown Fire

8AVFIRE

At around 8:50am fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of 8 AV SW. On arrival fire crews we met by a staff member from the neighbouring business and directed to an alley (between 8 & 9 AV SW) entrance where they saw smoke & flames coming from back-alley side of a two-story retail business between 8 & 9 AV SW. Fire crews connected a fire hydrant, deployed hose lines, forced entry into the business, and started knocking down the fire. Fire crews removed a fridge unit into the alley, in addition to some other contents to fully extinguish the fire. The fire extended into the ceiling/attic space at the rear/alley side of the business, which was one story high. Fire crews set up a ground ladder to access the roof and found there to be a few layers of roofs/attics and voids spaces. Fire crews breached the layers of roof and applied water to hot spots. Additional fire crews checked adjacent businesses on both sides and confirmed that the fire and smoke was isolated to the source business. Occupants were able to safely remain inside. Some employees of the neighbouring businesses arriving for work waited outside near the alley. No injuries were reported and there were no occupants in the source business. CPS attended and temporarily closed a portion of 1 ST SW and helped keep bystanders clear of emergency operations. Emergency Health Services ambulance was on scene and cleared once it was confirmed there were no injuries. ATCO gas attended and gas to the buildings was temporarily shut off. The gas was turned back on shortly after 10:30am as it was deemed safe and allowed businesses to re-open including the restaurants.

Fire watch crews have been assigned to ensure no re-ignition or extension of fire while an investigator remains on scene to determine the origin and cause of fire.

Anyone with any information, photos or video prior to the arrival of fire crews are asked to please email piofire@calgary.ca

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