Car collision with Edmonton building caused explosion, fire that left 1 dead, 2 still missing, police say

A vehicle that hit an apartment building on Edmonton’s north side Monday night caused an explosion and fire that left one person dead and forced a building-wide evacuation.

A Tuesday morning emailed statement from the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) confirmed that the individual who died was a resident in one of the units in the three-story building, located near 132nd Avenue and 82nd Street.

A news release from EPS Tuesday afternoon said that an 85-year-old man jumped from a balcony and was treated by EMS but died from his injuries at the scene.

Police also say the 62-year-old driver of the vehicle has been taken to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, where he remains in stable condition. Six residents were also taken to hospital with injuries.

Two residents of the building remain unaccounted for, police said. In total, there are believed to be at least 35 people living in the 16-suite building.

At a news conference on Tuesday, EPS Chief Warren Driechel said due to the complexity and scale of the case, police have launched their mass casualty investigative protocol, meaning the fire is being investigated by the police’s homicide unit.

“We’re trying to determine who maybe was left in the building. Were there other people in that building that we don’t know about?” asked Driechel.

“The unfortunate part is given the structure and the way it is right now — the instability of the structure — it’s likely investigators won’t be able to enter that place for at least 48 other hours, so we are still delayed in being able to determine that.”

Edmonton’s fire chief, David Lazenby, said the building has sustained extensive damage, particularly on the main floor, where there were businesses.

“We kindly ask that the public stay away from the site so that those on scene can continue their work uninterrupted,” he said.

The explosion and fire came after a vehicle struck the apartment building and ruptured a gas line at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Monday, police said.

Emergency crews were called to the building shortly after at 9:19 p.m. When firefighters arrived four minutes later, a second alarm was called quickly thereafter and more resources were deployed to the scene, a city spokesperson told CBC News on Monday night.

It took crews nearly three hours to bring the flames under control, shortly after 12 a.m. Tuesday. To address hotspots, crews remained on scene into the morning.

Police on Tuesday said 82nd Street, near the blaze, remains closed in all directions between 131st and 133rd avenues.

Twenty-one residents are receiving support from the Canadian Red Cross, police said, though a city spokesperson said 17 people are receiving support.

Police also said the building’s gas supply has been cut, affecting around 1,800 nearby residents. Edmonton’s fire chief said gas could return as early as Tuesday evening.

Mayor Andrew Knack said the city will continue to coordinate relief efforts involving the Canadian Red Cross. While donations are not yet needed, he praised the Edmonton community for support those who have been affected.

“The impact on our community has been profound with the loss of homes and businesses. I know that this is more than just a building,” Knack said.

“It’s a place where memories were kept and made, where neighbors gathered. The safety and well-being of Edmontonians is our top priority.”