[SpongeG]

EDMONTON (CP) - An early morning fire that started in a condominium complex has turned a south Edmonton street into charred ruins and left dozens of people homeless.

However, no residents in the MacEwan neighbourhood were injured.

The blaze, which started shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday, destroyed the under-construction four-storey condo building, as well as nine neighbouring two-family homes.

A fire department official said at least 40 other homes were damaged in some way.

Crews were still on the scene dousing the fire as winds gusting to 25 kilometres an hour were still fanning the flames in some hot spots. The three-alarm blaze was said to be under control, however.

One firefighter was taken to hospital to be treated for exhaustion. One veteran firefighter described the neighbourhood as looking like a "war zone," while others said it was the largest blaze they have ever seen in the city.

Residents, who had to be evacuated, said they awoke to loud noises.

"It sounded like a gravel truck was being unloaded, and it kept going, and I thought it was a storm," Danyell Durstling told a local TV station. "I got up to close the window, and I looked out my back window. The flames where shooting out the fourth floor of that apartment building they’re building."

Added Juleene Knechtel: "I heard banging. It sounded like thunder and I don’t know if that could have been the wood in the condo complex or if already the firemen were just making a lot of noise with their work. I had no idea the fire trucks were right at the end of my street."

The utility company Atco was working to cut off an active gas line that feeds the area.

People were being asked to stay away from the neighbourhood so emergency workers could do their job.


http://www.chroniclejournal.com/CP_stories.php?id=55302

[feepa]

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9673/bd072107fire78a166c0zs4.jpg
^^ image from Edmonton Sun

Dozens homeless after south-side fire
Josh Wingrove , edmontonjournal.com

Edmonton -- An early-morning blaze at a south-side construction site has left dozens homeless after tearing through a nearby townhouse.

The fire started in a four-storey, 149-unit condo community being built along 119th Street, just north of Ellerslie Road. Strong winds carried the flames to a nearby townhouses. The condos were destroyed, as well as 18 townhouses. Another 76 townhouses were damaged. No injuries were reported.

"It looked like an explosion from a movie set," said Alex Srdoc, 30, who was in home with husband Bryan Peters when they heard the sound of the fire. They believe it was lost in the fire, but weren't let near it to see.

"I thought the construction guys were out," said Peters, 27. He looked out the window to see siding of the homes next to his was already starting to melt.

"I thought to myself, 'Oh, there's a fire. The fire department will come, put it out, and I'll come back to bed," Peters said.

"You get outside and feel the heat, and realize you're not going home."
Fire crews got a call at 5:18 a.m. but called in more trucks when they saw the smoke over the horizon, Edmonton fire and ambulance spokesperson Nikki Booth said. As many as 28 emergency vehicles responded to the scene.

"There was a wall of fire," said Teresa Hardy, 25, who lost her home in the fire. She's lived there for a year and a half.

"I was saying, 'maybe it's only burned a bit and that I could get some of my stuff.' Nope," Hardy added.
Many of the residents forced out are staying with friends in the new neighbourhood, a mix of condos and detached homes. Many of the families are new to Edmonton. Melanie Reid moved to Edmonton just one month ago with her family, including her five-month-old child.

"I heard some people yelling. I looked out my window thinking, 'hey, it's 5 a.m. I've got a baby sleeping in here,'" said Reid, 32. She grabbed her child and ran outside with her family.

"I just wanted to get out."
An Edmonton Transit bus was brought to the area for residents to wait in, but few did. A condo supervisor was trying to account for all the residents Saturday morning.

"Our hearts definitely go out to the families. This is complete devastation," Booth said.
Peters and Srdoc remained in good spirits, sitting in front of the bus. The condos all have structure insurance, they said, and they have contents insurance. They said they don't know how to go about putting their life back together. Srdoc is two-months pregnant.

"We're healthy, we still have a kid on the way. They're just material things," Peters said.
"The worst part of this will be the hassle of trying to replace your life."
The fire has drawn attention to Edmonton Fire's campaign to change the city's building codes. Buildings built too closely together with flammable vinyl siding make it easy for a fire to spread, Booth said.

"None of these units were here two years ago. If those codes were changed, we wouldn't be facing the devastation we are today," she said.

One fire-fighter was treated for heat-exhaustion in the "large, intense fire," Booth said.
Fire crews will remain on scene throughout the day.


jwingrove@thejournal.canwest.com

[Rico Rommheim]

Holy shit! I used to live in that neighborhood!

[feepa]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/865001533_157a410f70_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/865001533_157a410f70_b.jpg

[ArtRambo]

I blame vinyl siding, when you have vinyl siding and your neighbour's house catches on fire, then your house catches on fire. Not only that but after 20 years your house looks like a zebra. We have whole blocks of vinyl siding, it could quickly become a halmark of poor quality.

[Calgarian]

This is reminiscent of the Erlton condo fire here in Calgary. I think wood should stop being used as our #1 building material for small buildings and houses.

[vid]

I remember seeing the news of that fire in Calgary, I was staying at my cousins that night and she had satellite at the time.

Even without that smoke, the picture sure is scary. Every single house has identical shingles!!! I mean, you don't have to change the design of the houses much, but for the love of God, get some different coloured shingles on those fuckers! Holy Monotony, Batman!

[Coldrsx]

unreal!

[CorporateWhore]

Even without that smoke, the picture sure is scary.

I was going to say the same thing, the fire is not the scariest part of that photo. The uniformity of the housing is downright creepy.

[Kevin_foster]

Frame condos will always burn like gunpowder...

I find it strange we build multi family buildings with wood... I know it's cheaper - but for god sakes - do we not learn from the past? Brick/concrete - all options..

Let's just hope with the market pricing raising 100% since last year that the condo corp has insured to value and avoid any co-insurance problems.. otherwise all of those tenants are going to get assessed... big time. I hope the broker on risk did a thorough job...

[Xelebes]

I was going to say the same thing, the fire is not the scariest part of that photo. The uniformity of the housing is downright creepy.

I dun get it. All neighbourhoods are built like that when starting out.

[someone123]

Those wooden apartments are very unsafe. All you need is an accident in a single unit for the whole building to go up in flames.

[vid]

I dun get it. All neighbourhoods are built like that when starting out.

No... they aren't. Even new neighbourhoods here have different colours shingles. There, all the shingles are grey! It's creepy!!

[Xelebes]

Nah, all the shingles are pretty much the same here. Some developers use different shingles but whatever. It's not that important to me, lol.

[SpongeG]

drove past a house that had burned mostly down the other day - the houses were fairly close not as close as it seems to be in edmonton - and a few of the houses next to the burned one looked all melted - most of the siding had melted from the heat

kinda funny

[feepa]

FYI: Not all Edmonton is this close together. In some of the newer sprawl, yes...

[HomeInMyShoes]

This is reminiscent of the Erlton condo fire here in Calgary. I think wood should stop being used as our #1 building material for small buildings and houses.

At the very least, four-story wood walk-ups should be banned. They should be replaced with 7-story concrete structures in all cases.

[Kevin_foster]

^ Agreed.

I wouldn't feel safe in a 4 story wood frame walk-up condo. And especially not with a family - they're ticking time bombs.

[Coldrsx]

this spacing is typical in newer neighbourhoods in any major city in canada...as is the blandness.

ever drive into calgary from the north?

[Coldrsx]

^ Agreed.

I wouldn't feel safe in a 4 story wood frame walk-up condo. And especially not with a family - they're ticking time bombs.

if it is up to code and the such, you shouldnt feel any more unsafe than a normal house...

[CMD UW]

No... they aren't. Even new neighbourhoods here have different colours shingles. There, all the shingles are grey! It's creepy!!

It's part of the architectural controls that are established by developers.

[feepa]

It's part of the architectural controls that are established by developers.

(could someone from Thunder Bay understand that? I'm sure there's neighbourhoods bigger in Edmonton then all of TB...)

[CorporateWhore]

this spacing is typical in newer neighbourhoods in any major city in canada...as is the blandness.

Just because it happens elsewhere, doesn't make it right.

if it is up to code and the such, you shouldnt feel any more unsafe than a normal house...

Just because something is up to code, doesnt mean it's as safe as another construction technique. Nobody in their right mind would think that wood is as fire-safe as steel/concrete. There's a reason why fires that destroyed entire cities stopped occuring around the same time cities started building with other materials.

If everything is up to code and this stuff still happens..well, maybe it's time to change the code.

[240glt]

^one only has to look at the disastrous building code that governed the construction of all those leaky condos in Vancouver... a code which has yet to be ammended to correct the problem.

[SpongeG]

FYI: Not all Edmonton is this close together. In some of the newer sprawl, yes...

i know i have been to edmonton

we have houses built just as closely here and i am sure the exact same thing would happen here given the circumstances

[1ajs]

the codes are a fucking joke guys... sujest you pic up a copy of the chmc book for new houseing construction thing its like 25$ for a copy....


i wonder how many of thoughs curently new houses will be shut down in 30 years for safty resons.......

[CorporateWhore]

Not only are the codes pretty lax, I'm sure build quality these days is pretty poor considering the chaotic pace of Alberta's construction industry. That can't be helping matters. Then again, the province has never been a long-term vision kind of place....so we'd be tearing down these buildings in 30 years anyway, ha.

[ArtRambo]

Everyone complains about sprawl, and then they complain that houses are jammed too close together. In Toronto all houses are made of brick, and they cost 50% more. Where could we get all those masons from, and what do we do with all those framers. I believe we should use local materials, and around here thats wood. 40 years they didn't have vinyl siding, they had aluminum siding, which has a bad rep, but it wouldn't have caught on fire. I hate vinyl siding but if we were to ban it many people would go out of business, send them all to Calgary. Blaming the codes is a total cop out, the choice of cladding is an agreement between builder and buyer and both are to blame. People don't appreciate that vinyl siding really sucks, hopefully events like this will help people wake up.

[feepa]

Everyone complains about sprawl, and then they complain that houses are jammed too close together. In Toronto all houses are made of brick, and they cost 50% more. Where could we get all those masons from, and what do we do with all those framers. I believe we should use local materials, and around here thats wood. 40 years they didn't have vinyl siding, they had aluminum siding, which has a bad rep, but it wouldn't have caught on fire. I hate vinyl siding but if we were to ban it many people would go out of business, send them all to Calgary. Blaming the codes is a total cop out, the choice of cladding is an agreement between builder and buyer and both are to blame. People don't appreciate that vinyl siding really sucks, hopefully events like this will help people wake up.

all houses in Toronto are made of brick?

Right... thats believable... move on dude

Vinyl siding is used right across north america.

People don't know better. That's why codes are there. Sure, blame can be put on the builder, and the buyer, but theres also blame and change that needs to be put on the codes.

[vid]

It's part of the architectural controls that are established by developers.

Developers shouldn't BE establishing architectural codes! Honestly, can they not find a supplier with more than one colour shingle??? Heck, some houses here have coloured patterns on their shingles! They really liven up the community! :yes:

What Edmonton would look like if the developers that made the suburb controlled city planning:

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/5049/edmontonwouldlookabsurduy5.jpg

(Not that it changes much, of course. ;))

[Xelebes]

That's an awesome pic, lol.

[vid]

Thank you. I took me several minutes to create. :)

[PhilippeMtl]

Big fire also in Montreal. I just came back from St-Denis/ Rachel. If you know Montreal, you surely know about L'Barouf and Le Continental. They are both burning on a 911 Alarm with 4 other blocks. I saw more than 40 fire trucks.

Just saw at the news than 10 of the 130 firefighters have been injured.

July 23 can now be the Official burning day in Canada.

http://mypictures.bell.ca/i/2795566209_0.jpgext=.jpg

http://mypictures.bell.ca/i/2795564929_330.jpg

The place before the fire.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/188202300_7d727c399f.jpg

[CMD UW]

if it is up to code and the such, you shouldnt feel any more unsafe than a normal house...
Exactly, in fact, most newer condos are outfitted with sprinkler systems. Most single family homes aren't.

[CMD UW]

Everyone complains about sprawl, and then they complain that houses are jammed too close together. In Toronto all houses are made of brick, and they cost 50% more. Where could we get all those masons from, and what do we do with all those framers. I believe we should use local materials, and around here thats wood. 40 years they didn't have vinyl siding, they had aluminum siding, which has a bad rep, but it wouldn't have caught on fire. I hate vinyl siding but if we were to ban it many people would go out of business, send them all to Calgary. Blaming the codes is a total cop out, the choice of cladding is an agreement between builder and buyer and both are to blame. People don't appreciate that vinyl siding really sucks, hopefully events like this will help people wake up.
No, the houses in Toronto are not made of brick. They are constructed using wood frame structures. Yes, it's true that more homes in Ontario use brick vs. vinyl as an exterior finish, but some use vinyl, metal siding, or a combination thereof.

[CMD UW]

Developers shouldn't BE establishing architectural codes! Honestly, can they not find a supplier with more than one colour shingle??? Heck, some houses here have coloured patterns on their shingles! They really liven up the community! :yes:


They have the right to establish a theme since they are developing the land. The majority of new neighbourhoods are marketed this way, no different than a highrise condo or any other development.

[vid]

A theme?

"Come on, come all, live in Bland Land! Every home is the same! It's like communism, but without the architectural creativity! Want a picket fence? Fuck you! It doesn't follow our guidelines of what your home is allowed to look like!!!!"

It is different than a highrise condo. With highrise condos, you don't have 50 acres of the same thing repeated over and over again!

[feepa]

A theme?

"Come on, come all, live in Bland Land! Every home is the same! It's like communism, but without the architectural creativity! Want a picket fence? Fuck you! It doesn't follow our guidelines of what your home is allowed to look like!!!!"


welcome to the wonderful world of sprawl...

[WhipperSnapper]

They have the right to establish a theme since they are developing the land.

and the city has the right to tell them to come up with something better

[Kevin_foster]

if it is up to code and the such, you shouldnt feel any more unsafe than a normal house...
Exactly, in fact, most newer condos are outfitted with sprinkler systems. Most single family homes aren't.

Erm... I'll agree to disagree

Frame condo + 200-300 residents (or more) + Shotty Building codes = reason for fear.

Yeah sprinkler systems really worked in this situation :rolleyes: - I lived in a Condo in Lewis Estates while 50% of it was still under construction. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but realistically, if something fails - that press board/wood goes up in flames faster than gasoline. At least in a concrete building you have proper fire breaks between units that delay the spread of fire - or hell even heavy timber.

In the world I work in, we see condo fires like this every year; and every year we shake our heads. Why we continue to build giant buildings like this with wood still makes no sense (besides the cheapness of it?)

Brick, Concrete, Heavy Timber...

[feepa]

MacEwan fire ruled an arson

edmontonjournal.com
Published: July 24, 2007 4:13 pm

Fire investigators have concluded their investigation into the MacEwan fire and have ruled the fire was the result of arson.

The blaze caused about $20 million in damages. The investigation has now been turned over to Edmonton police.

"Through the process of elimination, it has been determined that this fire was deliberately set," said John Yaschuk, lieutenant investigator with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

He refused to release other details because the police investigation is ongoing.

The fire, which started early Saturday, destroyed 18 townhouses and damaged 76 more that weren't yet completed.

[feepa]

Weekend inferno was arson
Fire chief to review fire safety plans at other multi-family dwellings under construction

Tue, July 24, 2007
By Sun Media

The massive southside fire that leveled an under construction condo complex and destroyed 18 duplexes was arson, say officials.

“Through the process of elimination, it has been determined that this fire was deliberately set," fire investigator John Yaschuk said in a release.

"The case has now been turned over to the Edmonton Police Service arson unit, who has been kept apprised of the situation throughout the investigation. We are unable to release any further details at this time as this is an ongoing investigation.”

The $20-million blaze broke out about 5 a.m. Saturday in a 149-unit condo complex under construction at 119 Street SW and MacEwan Road.

As a result of Saturday’s blaze, Mayor Stephen Mandel asked Fire Chief Randy Wolsey to look at options to prevent this type of incident occurring again, said the release.

Starting immediately, Fire Chief Wolsey will send fire safety codes officers to all of the multiple-family residential dwelling construction sites in the city to review fire safety plans and identify ways to enhance site fire safety.

“The highest risk for condominiums is when they are under construction,” said Wolsey.

“We want to work with builders to develop a higher level of fire safety at these large construction sites. By doing so we benefit not only the developer but also the residents in the area of the site.”

-30-

[HomeInMyShoes]

^Yeah, I just heard that on The National. Arson. That's just senseless.

[Mille Sabords]

all houses in Toronto are made of brick?

Right... thats believable... move on dude

Vinyl siding is used right across north america.

People don't know better. That's why codes are there. Sure, blame can be put on the builder, and the buyer, but theres also blame and change that needs to be put on the codes.

I don't know about Toronto but for sure in Mississauga there is no vinyl siding. Hazel McCallion decided she didn't like siding for her city because it looked cheap. So she told the industry she was forbidding siding from her city. The industry bitched and complained but Hazel won her anti-siding jihad and now Mississauga has at least two decades's worth of brick sprawl which, 75 years from now, will still be standing. By the way, since time has this weird effect on people, I wouldn't be surprised if Mississauga brick homes become the coveted retro-housing of the future.

I'm not an apologist for Mississauga's sprawl, but as sprawl goes, at least it doesn't look cheap. The builders just passed on the cost and people kept buying. Bada bing!