Residents displaced after a westend condo fire last week have received another blow as many returned home to discover their valuables were missing.

Hundreds were displaced from their homes after the fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. Monday, July 21 at 1520 Hammond Gate.

Now, according to condo board member, Dennis Begoray, about eight condos, including his own, have reported items missing.

“Police have already started a joint file for all the units in our building being affected,” he explained.

An investigator with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said the average complainants were missing over $40,000 worth of items.

“Most of the items are small items that could be taken quickly and easily concealable,” EPS Acting Detective Michael Keef explained.

Keef said they were noticing complaints coming from all over the complex.  

“They are basically allowed 20 minutes back into the suites and they are looking for the most important things,” he explained, “and that is what they are finding is missing.”

Begoray said they have already demanded more security for the building.

“We are told that those resources will be in place outside as soon as possible, including a guard dog that will be on site shortly.”

However, for Hala Al-Musawi the damage has already been done.

“We’ve lost enough. We’ve been through enough. We are homeless and to have this on top of it,” she said.

Al-Musawi explained that when she returned to her unit on Saturday she noticed her jewellery was missing.

“Because this was a rush and a panic and an emergency I left it and it is all gone, the whole jewellery box.”

She estimated the cost of the missing jewels to be about $30,000 but said it was not just about the money.

“I cannot even start to explain the value they have.

“I can never find gifts like them again. Some of them were made specifically for us, designed in the family for us.

“Nothing will ever replace the memories that go with it.”

Having been in Edmonton just over a year, Al-Musawi said she was in shock and it has shaken her trust in others.

“Don’t believe in anybody who tells you ‘We’ve got your back. We’ve got your security.’

“Even though you are in the midst of a crisis and your brain is frozen, find the energy and the power to sort things out yourself, to have a plan.”

Investigators said the fire was caused by a cigarette that was disposed of in a potted plant on a fourth floor balcony.

Damage has been estimated at $10 million.

Restoration and security company Belfor, who have been on the scene, declined to talk to CTV News.

Begoray has advised any resident who has items missing to report it to the police.

With files from Sarah Richter