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Southwest Edmonton Condo Fire Destroys Entire Building; Cause Not Yet Known

Massive Edmoton Condo Fire Engulfs Entire Building
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A massive condo fire in southwest Edmonton has left hundreds of people without a place to live, and the damages are in the millions.

According to CTV News, the three-alarm fire began around 2 a.m. Sunday morning near 119 Street and 21 Avenue.

More than 80 firefighters and emergency personnel were called to the blaze, as the entire building quickly went up in flames.

More than 200 people were told to evacuate the building and surrounding residences, according to Metro Edmonton, but there are no reported injuries.

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Michael Tucker of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services told Metro Edmonton the damage to the complex is estimated to be $17 million so far, not including damage to neighbouring properties.

According to Global News, flames from the huge fire began to ignite nearby cars parked on the block, and the siding on townhouses across the street began to melt.

About an hour after the blaze began, propane tanks began to explode and Tucker told the Edmonton Journal an industrial propane tank on site exploded "and went off like a rocket onto a neighbouring property," and punched a hole in the wall.

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“We were sound asleep and (at) 3:03, we actually heard the big boom and the bed literally shook,” Billie, a nearby resident told Global News.

“Both my husband and I were up and at the windows right away and we could see the flames just above all the roof tops."

Fire crews were able to bring the blaze under control shortly after 9 a.m., although crews remain on scene trying to extinguish the remainder of the fire.

It is not yet known what caused the fire. Crews are investigating.

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