Knightsbridge condo complex fire deemed suspicious (update)
Posted May 9, 2018 02:23:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With files from Andrew Pinsent
A fire that displaced around 25 residents from a south end heritage building on Tuesday has been deemed suspicious.
The blaze at the Knightsbridge condo complex at 5456 to 5466 Inglis Street broke out just before 2:30 a.m.
It took nearly 12 hours for crews to extinguish the fire, which caused extensive damage to the 15 unit building.
Deputy fire chief Roy Hollett said it appears it started at the back of the building in one of the alcoves.
Investigators have looked for potential causes in that area like cigarette butts, electrical outlets, extension cords or a motor.
“There was nothing that would indicate what would cause the fire and when there's no possible ignition source it means it was started by other means,” he explained. “We look then if it was set by someone, was it an accident, was it on purpose. Because there's nothing else indicating what caused it, we deemed it suspicious.”
Hollett said the section of the building near the Ultramar gas station has significant enough damage to be “not livable.” Whether or not the units on the other side are salvageable will be up to the residents and their insurance companies.
Around 25 people have been displaced but no residents or firefighters were hurt. He said smoke alarms were functioning properly and everyone left the building when they went off, which isn't always the case.
He added, given that it's Emergency Preparedness Week, this is a good example of why it's important to have a grab-and-go kit, including valuables, passports, documents and irreplaceable items like photos.
“I was talking to residents yesterday in pajamas and a bathrobe and that's all they had,” said Hollett. “If they have medication needs and other items, everything is gone. So have something that you can get, and get it right away.”
The Canadian Red Cross said some condos were empty when the fire broke out.
They helped 17 residents on site and say all have been able to find emergency accommodations with friends or family, or in a hotel arranged through their insurer.
