SE Calgary industrial building fire prompts evacuation of 100 employees

At least 100 employees were evacuated from an industrial building following a fire in southeast Calgary this morning.

The Calgary Fire Department responded to an industrial building on 10 Street SE Wednesday morning just before 8 a.m. following reports of smoke and flames.

The workers were safely evacuated after the fire alarm was activated, according to the fire department.

One person was looked at by paramedics for minor injuries, including singed hair, but they didn’t need to be taken to hospital.

Calgary Transit buses were used to shelter employees who stayed at the scene.

Due to heavy smoke and low visibility, the fire was escalated to a second alarm just before 8:30 a.m. which called for additional resources.

At 9:20 a.m., a third alarm was called to rotate firefighters and equipment in the extreme cold.

CFD says the fire was declared under control at 10:20 a.m.

Crews thoroughly searched the building and confirmed no one was inside.

Firefighters are currently working to ventilate the structure using a large industrial fan to clear lingering smoke.

Utilities to the building have been shut off, and hazardous materials team remain on scene to assess and manage any potential chemical hazards.

Fire investigators are working to determine the origin and the cause of the fire.