Investigators looking into cause of downtown blaze

Oct 10, 2021 | 11:52 AM

Investigators are looking into the cause of a fire that has gutted a building in downtown Red Deer early Sunday morning.

Deputy Chief Chris Kearns says crews responded shortly after 5:36 a.m. to the Empire Building at 4909 48 Street after being notified of the blaze by RCMP.

“On arrival the crews found visible flames and smoke and called for some additional units to assist, so we sent additional units,” says Kearns.

He notes 32 firefighters were on scene, including two ladder trucks, three engines, as well as mutual aid from Red Deer County incase other areas of the city were in need of assistance.

(rdnewsNOW)

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“We did an exterior attack,” he explains. “We didn’t actually go into the building initially because of the nature of the fire.”

In terms of where the fire started, Kearns says investigators are determining that still as well.

“I would suggest there’s significant damage. The building next door suffered some smoke damage but the fire did not go through to the next building,” adds Kearns. “Nobody was inside at the time. We’re just fortunate that nobody was hurt or injured and that everybody was safe.”

(rdnewsNOW)

48 Street between 49 Avenue and 50 Avenue remains closed, and will likely be closed for much of the day, say City officials.

According to Realtor.ca, the Empire Building was built in 1975 and appears to include six local businesses. Two of those businesses on the west side of the building suffered significant damage.

by Sheldon Spackman

Investigators looking into cause of downtown blaze

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