Massive fire destroys more than a dozen unfinished condos in Cochrane

A major fire destroyed several homes that were still under construction in Cochraneearly Wednesday morning.

Fire crews were called tothe 100 block of Fireside Bend in the town northwest of Calgary at about 2:18 a.m., said Cochranefire Chief David Humphrey.

Massive fire destroys more than a dozen unfinished condos in Cochrane, west of #yyc. It was so intense, it also destroyed some vehicles parked on the street. See more: https://t.co/GwLRfoHghN (Video: Chris Steenbergen) pic.twitter.com/56rlZcj3L7

—@CBCCalgary

The size of the blaze prompted crews to call for assistance from Calgary and from Rocky View County.

"We requested mutual aid right away, so we had two county engines come to assist us. We also requested a city of Calgary aerial truck," he said.

The scene of a major fire in Cochrane, in the community of Fireside. Billowing smoke can be seen kilometres away. pic.twitter.com/eNQfGNhtpa

—@ReidSouthwick

More than a dozen residences were destroyed. Two partially constructed buildings with multiple residences in each were completely levelled, and three completed homes werebadly damagedby the fire.

Only two people were living so far in the affected buildings, and they got out safely along with their pets, Humphrey said.

Jeremiah Steiven, who lives across the street, was sleeping when his wife woke him up to sayshe had heard a boom.

"The heat, when you opened the front door, you could feel it. It was instantly like you were standing in front of a bonfire," he said.

The fire alsoscorched several vehicles parked on the street and damaged homes across from the blaze.

"It's a big wooden box, so when it burns, it burns with an intense magnitude," Humphrey said.

Two firefighters suffered steam burns but did not have to go tohospital.

Several residences along the street were also evacuated, but Humphrey said they will likely be able to return later in the day.

Calbridge Homes, the developer of the Vantage Fireside townhome project, said in a statement the company is relieved everyone got out safely.

It's believed the fire began in one of the buildings under construction, the company said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.