Calgary fire crews were called to a two-alarm blaze that destroyed an automotive recycling depot in northeast Calgary early Thursday morning and say the fire appears to be suspicious.

Firefighters were called to an auto shop on 27 Street and 5 Avenue N.E just after 1:00 a.m. and found two separate buildings and a number of vehicles on fire when they arrived.

“When fire crews arrived, what they actually found was fire in two buildings on this property as well as fire in several vehicles and therefore, with multiple starts like that, the fire investigators and CPS do feel that it is suspicious in nature,” said Carol Henke, CFD Public Information Officer.

Crews fought the fire using an elevated platform and were able to contain the blaze to the business.

They also had to contend with a number of small explosions from gas tanks in vehicles that were on the property and some gas lines in the area were also shut down.

Battalion Chief Al Magwood says a second alarm was called as soon as crews arrived because of the size of the fire and that doubled the number of apparatus at the scene.

“By using large volumes of water we were able to confine the flames of origin to those two buildings,” he said. “What we’ve got now is several vehicles have started to cook off their gas tanks.”

Magwood says that crews are always cautious around all fires they attend. “We keep our distance, we do a site survey to ensure we’re safe and then we bring in large volumes of water to cool down the area. What we’re doing now is a search by search through the cars to make sure there is no extension.”

One firefighter suffered an injury to his hand but no other injuries were reported.

“One firefighter sustained an injury to his hand and other than that, no other injuries reported. Now, that being said, we’ve been unable to go into the buildings that were affected by fire just due to the danger of it and the volume of fire that was present so once they’re deemed safe to go in, then we will  be doing a search of those buildings as well,” said Henke.

Fire officials say damage to the buildings is extensive but adjacent businesses were not damaged by the fire.

Calgary Fire investigators and Calgary police arson detectives are investigating to determine a cause and say the fire is considered suspicious. They say the lease holder of the property is cooperating with the investigation.

Fire crews remain on scene to monitor hot spots and a thorough search of the buildings will be conducted when officials deem it safe to do so.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to email investigators at piofire@calgary.ca.