'Quite catastrophic': Fire burns through 6 businesses at southwest strip mall
A large team of firefighters descended on a fire that broke out inside a southwest Calgary strip mall Thursday morning.
Calgary Fire Department district chief Kevin Wiens said a passerby called 911 when they saw smoke and fire coming from the strip mall in the 1800 block of Sirocco Drive S.W. around 2:45 a.m.
"Our first engine arrived from a neighbouring station about five minutes later and started immediate fire operations," he said.
The fire had been knocked down as of 6 a.m., but crews remained at the scene.
"We are looking for extensions and working to make sure it isn't going to go anywhere else," Weins said.
He said fighting fires in larger structures like a strip mall requires a specific strategy that balances risk and takes all precautions to ensure crews are safe while they do their job.
"We're using bigger lines on top and eventually, once we got it down, we're going inside and getting rid of the rest of the fire," he said.
Wiens said about six businesses were damaged in the fire and some of those are "total losses."
"In some of the units, it's quite catastrophic," he said.
"As time goes on today, and we can get inside and check out a little bit more, we'll be able to determine how much that is."
Rick Chuk has owned the Levilla Restaurant for 18 years.
His business did not sustain any water or fire damage, but the restaurant was filled with thick smoke.
"I have never closed for 18 years. Not even during COVID. I survived all of that stuff, all the ups and downs of the economy, so I don't want to think about that," he told CTV News.
"The good news is no one was (reported) injured," said Carol Henke, public information officer for the fire department.
"However, this is devastating for these small business owners. After everything we've been through in the last few years, it is absolutely a blow they did not need."
Chuk said despite the tough news, he's most concerned about the well-being of his staff.
"For me, I can start my insurance claim pretty soon, they say. I should be able to do that. Hopefully, I can open as soon as possible," he said.
"Owning a restaurant is tough. We're just recovering from COVID, so we need all of the support that we can get. It's a tough business."
There was no information on the cause of the fire, but an investigator was on scene throughout the day.
Henke said there is security camera footage from at least one nearby business that should help their work.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
BREAKING Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tiger Woods gets special exemption to U.S. Open at Pinehurst
Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time the three-time champion has needed an exemption to play.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.