Humboldt condo fire leaves dozens of people homeless
An overnight fire at a condo building in Humboldt has left dozens in the community displaced.
The fire started just after midnight, according to Humboldt Fire Chief Mike Kwasnicka, who said crews responded at 12:35 a.m.
He said there were 19 firefighters with two command trucks, two fire trucks and one ladder truck sent to the 24-suite building, which housed 38 people.
Condo owner Margaret Nagy says her mother and then her father have lived in the unit. She got a call around 12:30 a.m.
“We were shocked to see the flames flying out of these units and I just thought it was going to be completely engulfed,” she told CTV News.
“I know it's especially heartbreaking for the people that have to find a home to live in,” Nagy said. “We're lucky that we have that close-knit community that we do have and everyone's trying to come together to help the residents here. I think that's the prime thing is that everybody is safe.”
Town councillor Rob Muench shared his sympathies in a Facebook post.
“The fire started on the balcony of the top floor and spread into the attic. This is tragic as there will be many displaced people from this fire. Thanks to our emergency crews - Fire, Humboldt Ambulance, RCMP and Partners Family Services for all of your hard work,” Muench said.
Dozens of residents are displaced after a condo fire in Humboldt Thursday. (Tyler Barrow/CTV News)
Kwasnicka says the fire was under control by approximately 2:30 a.m., and crews remained on the scene until 5:30 a.m. putting out hot spots.
He said there were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and Kwasnicka estimates the cost of the damages to be in the millions. He told CTV News that half of the suites on the fourth floor were destroyed, as well as half of the roof, with several more suites suffering water damage.
Humboldt real estate agent Dan Torwalt said the tight housing market would present a challenge to find a place for displaced residents.
“It's gonna be long term,” he told CTV Saskatoon. “This isn't just they can go back in there next week.”
“I'm thinking a year plus,” he said.
He said condo owners would need to wait until the insurance was sorted out.
“It just was quite a thing last night for sure. Kudos to the fire department and first responders,” Torwalt said. “You got to give them full credit for containing everything and making sure everyone was good and safe.”
With files from Pat McKay, Tyler Barrow
Correction
The original story had Margaret Nagy's name incorrect. It has been updated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.