West end fire causes approx. $3M in damage

CTV Edmonton: Costly west end fire The damage estimate for a west end fire has now doubled.

Fire investigators continue to sift through damage caused by Wednesday’s townhouse complex fire in west Edmonton.

The cause of the fire at Surrey Gardens is still unknown however the damage estimate has increased from $1.5 million to $3 million, making it the most costly fire in Edmonton so far this year.

More than seventy units were evacuated Wednesday afternoon when the blaze, which began around 12:45 p.m., began ripping through several suites.

A dozen trucks responded to the two-alarm call and about 50 firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

Around 2:15 p.m., the fire was declared “under control”.

There were no serious injuries reported however one cat is still missing.

Residents from 24 suites were told they would not be able to return home overnight Wednesday, since 12 of those suites have been deemed “uninhabitable”.

Fire Rescue Services said Thursday residents from the other 12 suites would be allowed to return through the day.