Police investigating 'suspicious' fire in southwest Edmonton townhouse complex

An early-morning fire that ripped through a large multi-unit townhouse complex in the Desrochers neighbourhood of southwest Edmonton on Wednesday is being investigated as suspicious.

In a news release Wednesday afternoon, the Edmonton Police Service said the cause of the fire is suspicious. Police are asking residents who live near the scene of the fire for their home security and dash camera footage.

The fire, in the area of 119th Street S.W. and 35th Avenue S.W., was called in to Edmonton Fire Rescue Services around 4:30 a.m.

About 70 people were displaced. No injuries had been reported as of Wednesday afternoon.

Detectives with the EPS investigative response team are working closely with EFRS investigators, police said.

In the coming days, officers will canvass the areato collect video or dashcam footage that was actively recording at 1 a.m. or later on Wednesday morning, police said.

"Anyone with a camera active at this time is asked to please retain that footage and contact police," Det. Chantelle Kortbeek said in the news release.

Earlier Wednesday, EFRS spokesperson Matt Pretty said the call came in at 4:27 a.m. and the first crew arrived by 4:32 a.m.

Images of the scene showed a wall of flames consuming several structures as plumes of black smoke filled the sky.

More firefighters arrived throughout the morning, with a total of 14 units dispatched to the scene, Pretty said.

Residents were evacuated as the fire spread rapidly.

Evacuees went to two city buses in a nearby school parking lot while fire crews continued to douse damaged homes at the Enclave townhomes development at 11910 35th Ave. S.W.

As of 9:30 a.m., 10 crews remained at the scene and Atco was working to shut off gas to the area.

Pretty said several homes on the block, which included a mix of finished and unfinished townhomes, sustained damage.

People displaced by the fire have been provided lodging assistance by the emergency support response team.

Some nearby buildings were evacuated because of concerns about natural gas. As of 11 a.m., residents had not been given the go ahead to return.

Dr. Anne Anderson Schoolwas closed for the day due to the nearby fire. Parents and students were urged to stay away from the area.