The Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation Timberlea housing project is finally open after a fire in 2014 put the project behind schedule and created a number of delays. The Siltstone Ride apartment complex has started seeing new residents move in. In June of 2014 a large fire burned one of the biggest buildings at the housing project to the ground, and the complex could not open as first scheduled because of the fire damage and losses. WBHCD president Bryan Lutes explained “(It’s) very proud day for us. Because of the obstacles that we ran up against in getting this development finished.” The project involved two main buildings where residences are located, an the building that burned down last year was one of the two residence structures. The fire was caused when a soil stabilization mixer ruptured a gas line at the site, and the natural gas that leaked started a fire when it was ignited from sparks caused by utility and power lines.

The Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation Timberlea housing project was around 80% complete but the buildings were empty when the fire started in 2014. One fo the firefighters who battled the blaze was injured, and the building was almost a complete loss because of the damage sustained. Lutes told journalists “In 14 months, it’s been completely rebuilt. It’s ready to occupy, the turnover date is today, in fact. Siltstone Ridge means more opportunities as we go forward to help people that need assistance with our extremely expensive housing cost. At entry levels, we have teachers and nurses and municipal employees that need some assistance.” The other residential building on site was not damaged when the fire broke out, and residents started to move into apartments in that building in January of this year.