Firefighters are seen battling a large residential fire in the 600 block of Industrial Avenue on Tuesday afternoon. No injuries were reported from the fire that caused extensive damage to one multi-residential home and the belongings inside. Firefighters are asking residents to avoid the area as an investigation is ongoing.--NEWS PHOTO SCOTT SCHMIDT
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
Sirens rang out at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon after firefighters received a report of a large structure fire at a multi-residential home located in the 600 block of Industrial Avenue in the North Flats.
Upon arrival crews witnessed a smoking structure engulfed in flames, and two engine crews from Station No. 2, a rescue and ladder truck, quickly began dosing the blaze.
Once the fire was extinguished crews performed a search of the residence and discovered no one inside the building, and no injuries were reported for the fire that did cause extensive damage to the building.
“The guys worked extremely hard,” says Brett Bachewich, platoon chief. “The heat, of course it’s one of our hottest days of summer. Hat’s off to everybody that attended and made this possible. We kept it to one structure, a couple other structures were exposed to the heat with limited damage, and all parties involved have been notified and contacted.”
EMS, local police and city gas, electrical crews as well as the Red Cross also responded to the scene of the fire.
Firefighters say the damage to the multi-residential home, as well as all the contents inside the residence, is extensive.
The site of the fire has been secured as an investigation is ongoing. Firefighters are asking residents to avoid the area while the cause of the fire is investigated.
“Refrain from anybody going down there, it’s a tight area, it’s a busy street,” said Bachewich. “So I would say if you can avoid the area, please avoid it.”
A large portion of southeastern Alberta, including Medicine Hat, Brooks and Lethrbidge, remain under an extremely high fire danger rating and firefighters are reminding residents the extreme hot and dry conditions pose a very serious fire risk.
Additionally, those fires are often classified as high intensity, which are more difficult to control.
Hats offs to our great firefighters. A job well done