A day after dozens of residents of a Stony Plain apartment building had to escape their homes, as a massive blaze tore through their building, fire officials are investigating, and the Red Cross is helping those in need.
The fire started just before 7 p.m. Thursday night in the Sonora Apartments on Golf Course Road in Stony Plain.
It’s believed it started on a second or third floor balcony.
At its peak, about 60 firefighters were fighting the blaze that eventually destroyed one three-storey 36 suite apartment building.
The stubborn fire continued to burn, with crews still putting out hotspots into the early hours Friday.
Throughout the several hours fire crews fought the flames, gusting winds made the task difficult.
“Wind was probably our biggest enemy in this whole scenario,” Stony Plain Fire Chief Dan Badry said Thursday night. “It basically pushed the fire up the side of the wall and into the attic area.”
At the same time, firefighters had a difficult time reaching all parts of the burning building.
“They weren’t able to get into the east portion of the building, because of the heavy smoke that accumulated in that area,” Badry said. “But everybody on that side of the building has been evacuated, and made it out safely.”
One of the evacuees is James Tattrie, he described what he saw as he fled his home.
“It was a big panic to get out,” Tattrie said. “By the time I got back out in the hall again the walls and everything was starting to go up.”
No injuries were reported, but one person had to be rescued.
In addition, a number of pets were rescued by fire crews as they battled the blaze – one cat was found hiding in the building about four hours after the fire started, and two others were found hiding behind rubble even after the fire was out.
However, officials confirmed at least four cats and two dogs died in the fire.
As for the investigation into the blaze, it's not clear how long the on-scene investigation could take - an official told CTV News the total damage estimate is expected to exceed $4 million.
Response to call for donations ‘overwhelming’
About 50 people lost their homes in the fire; the Red Cross said Friday morning that officials were assessing the needs of 48 people affected by the fire, by early Friday evening; the Red Cross said volunteers were helping 64 people affected by the blaze.
Donations of clothing, bedding, and toiletries were being accepted at the Stony Plain Royal Canadian Legion at 4902 44 Avenue - the Town of Stony Plain tweeted after 11 a.m. that they had received enough donations, and no more was needed.
People had been lining up to donate items Friday after hearing about the call for donations.
“It just blows my mind, where people have come from, and the generosity is overwhelming,” Buck Coutts with the Stony Plain Legion said.
Later Friday morning, the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society, which is also helping families affected, put out the call for donations of household items such as new pillows, small appliances, kitchen items, towels, bedding, new socks and underwear and basic furniture.
The emergency organization is opening for donation drop-offs on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., at 10255 104 Street in Edmonton – call 780-428-4422 for more information.
Monetary donations are also being accepted at Stony Plain Family and Community Support Services (4905 51 Avenue) - cheques would be made out to Sonora Fire Victims.
With files from Amanda Anderson
