3 people hospitalized, 200 displaced after northeast Edmonton apartment complex fire

Three people were taken to hospital, including one in critical condition, after a fire at an apartment building in northeast Edmonton’s Sifton Park neighbourhood on Monday morning.

Alberta Health Services confirmed to CityNews one person was in life-threatening condition with burns. The other two — firefighters who sustained minor injuries — were taken to hospital in stable condition and later released.

A pair of charred suites, destroyed by flames, could be seen on the corner of the Wyndham Crossing Apartments building at 48 Street and 137 Avenue, and a large hole burned through the roof.

“Now, we’re having to start over,” said Derek Kasokeo, who just rented out one of the charred suites with his wife seven days ago. The couple was looking to start a new chapter of their lives in Edmonton.

Kasokeo’s wife’s son was staying in the suite when the fire broke out.

“They were just hit with this, like, thick smoke. They couldn’t even see walking out really. From what they told us over the phone, the floor was glowing, and I thought, ‘holy, man.’”

Monday was supposed to be Kasokeo’s wife’s first day at her new job. Instead, she’s now dealing with the loss of her new home.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services was called at 5:33 a.m., with crews arriving to find smoke and flames. A second-alarm fire was called for more support.

Edmonton firefighters helped several residents evacuate the building, said EFRS, which estimates 200 people were living in the affected complex. Several of them could be seen scattered throughout the parking lot.

“Ground ladders pulling people off balconies, doing primary secondary searches of suites,” said EFRS district chief Darren Stolk. “There was other 911 calls of people left behind in fire areas, which we confirmed were not the case.”

Adam Jamac, who lives down the hall from the blaze, saw the fire from his balcony – and the panicked evacuation.

“The people ran out their shoes. They didn’t even have shoes, some of them,” Jamac said. “Some of them didn’t have nice clothes, they have underwear. It was a little bit cold this morning. It was early. It was really bad.”

The fire was declared under control at 6:48 a.m. and out by 7:45 a.m., though firefighters remained on the scene to ensure the blaze was fully extinguished.

Fire investigators will work to determine the cause.

For residents like Kasokeo, it’s tough suffering such heavy financial and personal losses. The family needs to start over: buying new clothes, returning to Saskatchewan with their son, and working with their insurance provider.

“I’m just happy they’re OK,” he said. “They’re safe. Some stuff are lost up in the apartment, but that can be easily replaced. I’m just thankful their lives are OK and we didn’t have to hear any more tragic news.”

There’s no clear timeline on when all residents may go home. Firefighters say many of the apartments will not be safe to return to.