A large fire broke out at a historic municipal airport hangar in central Edmonton on Monday night, causing extensive damage to the building and prompting a second-alarm response from firefighters.
The fire, which was first reported just before 7 p.m., quickly escalated, causing heavy smoke and flames to pour out of Hangar 11. The hangar, located between the NAIT campus and Blatchford, alongside what used to be Edmonton’s City Centre Airport, is a municipal historic resource that was constructed in 1942 by the U.S. Air Force to support the Second World War efforts. It is believed to be the last remaining building of its kind in Western Canada.
As of 8:30 p.m., most of the building had been consumed by the flames. Edmonton police on scene were telling bystanders in the area, as well as news crews, to move away from the scene over fears the fumes could be toxic.
The fire also caused the temporary suspension of LRT service on the Metro Line to the new NAIT/Blatchford Market station. Trains are currently turning around at Kingsway/Royal Alex station.
This breaking news story will be updated as more information is received.
