The fire that ravaged a St. Albert seniors' home on Thursday night has been successfully extinguished, according to the city, and an investigation into the cause of the fire can now begin.
On Thursday, a major fire swept through the Citadel Mews West seniors' complex. About 10 fire trucks from the St. Albert, Edmonton, Morinville, and Spruce Grove fire services were on scene when Gazette reporters arrived at about 8:45 p.m. Much of the south half of the roof of the complex was aflame.
Crews battled the fire throughout the night.
Citadel Mews West, a combination of independent living and assisted living, was evacuated, along with the centre building – Citadel Care Centre, a long-term care facility, in the three-building complex. The centre building is attached to Citadel Mews West by a pedway, but did not catch fire. Citadel Mews East, the detached independent-living building in the complex, was not evacuated. Information released earlier by the City of St. Albert that the east building had been evacuated is incorrect.
Three residents sustained injuries. Two were hospitalized in serious but stable condition due to smoke inhalation, while one had minor lacerations.
Evacuated residents were relocated to the St. Albert Inn, with most put up in hotel rooms and others placed in available beds at long-term care facilities in the region.
Fire crews remained at the scene to douse and monitor for hot spots, according to a media release from the city at 9:11 a.m. Friday morning.
"Now that there is no active fire activity, other than the occasional hot spot, the fire investigation will begin early this morning," the city stated.
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Stay tuned for more.
