Plumes of smoke could be seen from all over Calgary as emergency crews battled a fire at a construction site in Victoria Park.
A call came in just before noon from passersby who noticed smoke and flames at a building under construction, according to Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke.
“Even before fire crews arrived, it was very obvious that this was going to be a fairly large fire,” Henke said.
The fire engulfed a four-story construction site on the corner of 17 Avenue and Centre St. Henke says the “two-alarm fire with additional resources” is not completely under control yet but crews are limiting the spread.
Nearby structures, including the Talisman Centre, were evacuated due to heat and toxic smoke.
“All the buildings surrounding this building have been evacuated as a safety precaution because radiant heat can start other buildings on fire,” she said.
Henke said debris from the fire has landed as far as four or five blocks away. The department has asked people in the vicinity to keep an eye open and report any fire activity.
No injuries have been reported and the investigation into cause of the fire is underway.
People are asked to avoid the area as a four-block radius around the fire has been blocked off by police.
Fire now being brought under control. No injuries. Investigation into cause underway. #cbc @CBCCalgary pic.twitter.com/2Y6uPpbRIN
UPDATE: Due to fire in the Beltline area there are currently several road closures. See attached image. #yyctraffic pic.twitter.com/xaYLpgbjTC
This gives you a sense of the smoke firefighters are dealing with. It’s that smoke that evacuated Talisman. #cbc pic.twitter.com/FdCmetJsHg
Fire slowly being brought under control. Officials to update us in minutes. #cbc pic.twitter.com/tORaYwEL6g
Police continue to move people out of the area. That line keeps moving further back by the minute. #cbc pic.twitter.com/KzJQvwar3W
Address of construction site now in flames: 1115 17th Ave SW. #cbc #yyc @CBCCalgary pic.twitter.com/ZmmdCLnohk
Now learning the @TalismanCentre is being evacuated because of proximity to flames. #cbc #yyc pic.twitter.com/nXUbdWbMX7
Traffic being blocked at least four blocks back right now. #cbc @CBCCalgary pic.twitter.com/iyGOasd5g0
Huge fire downtown Calgary right now. Details limited. I am hearing popping noises right now. #cbc @CBCCalgary pic.twitter.com/A2CipFaatU
This is a construction site. Flames ripping apart the structure. Crews flooding into the area. #cbc pic.twitter.com/By3eQot5Mq
@Crackmacs propane tank going up now. pic.twitter.com/PysQ4yM3Fm
— @EvValer
Holy hell. “@iamemilymorris: Omg! Smells like smoke now. #yyc #calgary pic.twitter.com/r3skUWBHWL“
More to come
