APARTMENT COMPLEX DAMAGED BY FIRE
Residents of a Lethbridge apartment building escaped serious injury Thursday when a fire ripped through several units. Just one minor injury was reported after the early afternoon blaze at the Winston Villa complex at 13 Street and 23 Avenue North.
Lethbridge firefighters were able to contain the flames to one end of the three-storey structure, one of several apartment buildings on the property. Occupants were reportedly able to get out of the burning building without assistance.
Investigators said a neighbour saw smoke and flames coming from a window and called 911 at about 12:18 p.m.
“When firefighters arrived there was an active fire,” said Troy Hicks, Fire Prevention Officer. “A total of 21 firefighters from three stations responded. There was one person transported to hospital with injuries related to smoke inhalation.”
Lethbridge Transit took several of its spare buses to the scene to provide a temporary refuge. They are being assisted by the Red Cross to access resources and housing as needed. A number of residents’ pets also escaped the fire, witnesses noted.
At its peak, flames were seen streaming out of balcony doors and devouring the building’s vinyl siding.
Fire crews were still on scene Thursday evening and the fire remains under investigation, with an update anticipated today.