Fire crews battle a blaze at a building in downtown Red Deer on Aug. 24, 2020. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

building to come down

Red Deer emergency crews battle structure fire downtown

Aug 24, 2020 | 5:10 PM

A building in downtown Red Deer will be demolished tonight after fire ripped through it Monday afternoon.

Red Deer Emergency Services were called around 3 p.m. about a large structure fire at 5129 50 Avenue. Deputy Chief Tyler Pelke says their were 22 units between the building’s two floors and basement.

“The building is owned by Potter’s Hands. There are a number of displaced residents, about 20” he says. “Crews arrived to smoke showing on the second floor. They tried to gain entry and were able to get a bit of a knockdown, but the fire extended too quickly into the roof structure.

“With the age of the building and type of occupancy, there’s lots of locked doors and bolted doors, so it was very hard to gain access. Crews pulled out rather quickly and have gone defensive.”

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The building is largely made of timber, and no neighbouring buildings were at risk, he noted.

Pelke says they don’t believe at this time that anyone was harmed in the fire, and the cause is still under investigation, which could take a few days to determine. No one was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, but there were occupants in the building who had to evacuate.

“We had a reception centre set up at the G.H. Dawe. Residents have been filtering in there to be registered. We also arranged with transit to take them there. Those who’ve registered have been provided temporary housing.”

As of 7:30 p.m., Pelke says the fire has been knocked down, but crews will be on scene throughout the night to take the building down.

Parts of downtown are closed to traffic, including 49 Avenue at 52 Street, and Gaetz Avenue at 53 Street. 52 Street is also closed between Gaetz Avenue and 49 Avenue. The public is asked to avoid the area as crews do their work.

Power has been restored to the area after it was shut off for safety reasons.

Sylvan Lake Fire Department was on scene to provide mutual aid because of the type of apparatus they were able to offer.

(Maxim Cote)

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)