Person in custody following suspicious fire at Ginger Beef Bistro House: CPS
Calgary police say one person is in custody after a suspicious fire at a restaurant on Macleod Trail on Monday.
The fire at Ginger Beef Bistro House in the 9600 block of Macleod Trail broke out at around 6:30 a.m.
The Calgary Fire Department said flames and heavy smoke could be seen coming from the rear of the building.
Firefighters were unable to enter the structure due to the intensity of the flames and the risk of the building collapsing.
Aerial streams were used to douse the fire, which appears to have started on the outside, making its way into the roof structure and then quickly spreading to the interior of the building.
"Because the fire started apparently from the outside and appeared to move in, the fire would be considered suspicious," said Bat. Chief Keith Stahl.
Crews respond to a fire on Macleod Trail on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.
Kimberley Allen, the vice principal at a nearby childcare centre, said she saw the fire while on her way in to work.
"I was praying that no one was hurt, and fortunately it doesn't look like anybody was." Allen said. "It was just a lot. A lot of smoke a lot flames still at that point. Didn't really know what was going on."
By 7 a.m., the fire was under control.
No injuries were reported.
The owner of the restaurant said the incident was upsetting.
"It was a little bit of a shock and surprise because it never happened before," said James Leung. "Especially, (because) it happened this time of year close to Christmas time."
"COVID-19 has already affected the business," Leung added. "And then Christmas time is supposed to be busy for us but that (fire) happens, so I don't have a good feeling about this."
One neighbouring building may have suffered minor smoke damage, Stahl said.
The fire caused the temporary closure of southbound lanes of Macleod Trail between 90 Avenue and 94 Avenue.
Anyone who has photos or videos of the fire, especially prior to the arrival of fire crews, is asked to email piofire@calgary.ca.
- With files from Austin Lee and Stephanie Thomas
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.