Calgary Fire Department Responds to Ogden Fire

At around 2:45am fire crews were dispatched to a fire incident around Ogden RD & 78 AVE SE. Crews reported seeing large volume of smoke that had settled over the green space near the train tracks. While investigating, fire crew observed flames coming from the southeast corner doors of a large commercial building in the 7000 block of Odgen RD SE, which is the former Ogden Legion Building. Fire trucks repositioned and crews advanced handlines to begin knocking down the fire. Special address notes for this location indicated that building was unsafe, contained unknown and known health hazards and fire crews are not to enter the structure and perform exterior defensiveness operations only. 

Fire crews continued defensive operations with handlines while ladder trucks were positioned and connected to fire hydrants. Two water towers were set up as the fire burned through the roof of the south section of the building. High volume water towers continued to knock down the fire. ATCO and Enmax were contacted and confirmed that utilities to this building have previously been disconnected. There were no reported injuries and occupants are unknown. The building has been boarded up and resecured when breaches or damage is reported. Due to special notes and hazards, fire crews did not enter the structure to search for occupants however crews did remove exterior boards and conducted visual checks for occupants from the exterior. No occupants found, no reports of witnesses on scene. CPS attended as Ogden Road was temporarily closed during the incident and re-opened shortly after 6:00am. EHS ambulance also attended the scene and released around the same time as CPS. A total of 11 Calgary Fire apparatus and 30 firefighters were in the initial response. 

A ladder truck was requested to look for hot spots on the roof section. While on scene, fire crews saw smoke coming from the roof area and set up the aerial tower truck. At the same time a neighbouring resident called 9-1-1 to report smoke and developing fire on the roof. A water tower truck crew knocked down the fire under a roof heating/venting/air conditioning (HVAC) unit and continued to monitor for hot spots on the roof. The fire crew noted significant damage to the roof and structural supports. One Fire District Chief, one fire engine and one fire tower truck crew remain on scene to support the Investigators. 

ATCO crews attended the scene to plug the underground gas lines going to the building for additional safety as the all the building shut off had already been shut down. Enmax attended the scene and confirmed all their services had been shut down. City of Calgary Peace Officers, Calgary Police Arson Investigators, Fire Marshal and Fire Investigators all attended the scene. 

Due to unsafe conditions, the Fire Investigators were unable to enter the building until a demolition company was contacted to assist with mitigating building collapse hazards on the fire affected area. The demolition crew will be working in conjunction with the Fire investigators to allow for safe access to areas for their investigation. The fire affected area is roughly 1/3 of the total building, and the southmost portion of the building. The fire appears to have been limited to this area and as such, the demolition will only include the fire affected area. Fire crews conducted an internal search for occupants in the unaffected areas of the building and there were no occupants found. The fire is currently under investigation; more information will be shared once available.

The Ogden Legion has stood empty for more than a decade, and a demolition order was issued for the structure in 2023 due to safety issues and social disorder concerns. The active demolition order remains in place. The City will provide further updates regarding what will occur to remaining parts of the structure unaffected by the fire when that information becomes available.

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