‘This is unfair’: Old Strathcona apartment building damaged by 2-alarm fire

The resident of an apartment building in the Old Strathcona neighbourhood says she was frightened when she saw flames, after a two-alarm fire early Wednesday morning.

The building was evacuated, and there were no reported injuries.

“I checked out the living room and saw fire, so I took my two kids and went outside,” she told CityNews.

“I’m so, so, so scared.”

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) first received a report around 3:50 a.m. that the apartment building on 85 Avenue and 99 Street was on fire.

Crews arrived on scene at 3:54 a.m., and a second-alarm fire was called at 3:58 a.m.

“I would like to thank the fire department, they were here within minutes,” said property manager Mary Fung. “And I would like to thank the ETS (Edmonton Transit Service), they were here to provide a bus so they could get on the bus and stay warm.”

Edmonton Fire says the blaze was under control by 5 a.m. and declared out 37 minutes later.

In the aftermath, the building’s façade was heavily blackened by the flames. Several vehicles parked outside were damaged.

“Just the window is broken, otherwise all OK. Bad smell, but otherwise everything is all OK,” said the resident.

Resident seen on her phone through broken window after apartment fire in the Old Strathcona neighbourhood on Feb. 15, 2023. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)

The fire is under investigation.

“They were scared and I feel really bad for them,” said Fung.

“All of them will be able to go back to their place, they have a home. I was so scared that they would be homeless.

“This really is not fair to them. They are like family to me and this is unfair.”