One woman died and several people were rushed to hospital Tuesday after fire broke out at a seniors' independent living complex in west Edmonton.
Fifteen fire trucks and about 65 firefighters fought the blaze at Canora Gardens, a five-storey, 100suite affordable housing residence that covers nearly a city block.
District fire chief Randy Shakura said firefighters made "multiple rescues in very difficult conditions," battling hot weather to remove seniors trapped in suites, stairwells and balconies.
Four patients were taken to Edmonton hospitals in unknown condition, said an Alberta Health Services spokesman, but fire officials said that number might be higher.
Some residents were put in ambulances while others sat on the lawn to be treated for smoke inhalation. Shortly before 2: 30 p.m., paramedics covered the body of an elderly woman in a blanket and laid her next to a fence on the east side of the building.
More than 100 residents, neighbours and bystanders watched as firefighters used ladders to pull people from the building.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze just after 3 p.m.
Residents gathered in front of the West Edmonton Church of God, where volunteers were handing out glasses of water.
Because tenants are free to come and go, there was confusion about who was in the building at the time.
Lorette Allen stood on the sidewalk outside the church, trying to find out information about her mother, Loretta, who lives on the fifth floor.
"I can't seem to find her," Allen said. "Hopefully, she's out of there. But if she's gone to the hospital, how do I know?"
Numerous residents said initial confusion delayed the evacuation. Third-floor resident Alice Jennings said she left her suite after alarms rang, but it took a while before firefighters started extinguishing the blaze and pulling people from their rooms.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
