Fire damages three homes in southeast Edmonton

An overnight fire in a southeast Edmonton neighbourhoodcaused significant damage to two homes, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services says.

A house fire near 59th Street and 10th Avenuewas called in just after 2 a.m. Monday, fire rescue spokesperson Kristi Bland said.

The fire started in one home and spread to two others due to highwinds. Two homes had significant fire damage while the third had damage to its siding.

Rey Galigo,owner of the housewith the mostdamage,works in FortMcMurray and drove to Edmontonearly Monday morning,

Galigofled the wildfiresin May. Hesaid he was very sad to see his homeburned but he is thankful his family is on vacation in thePhilippines because they may have been toojet-laggedto wake up and escape in time.

SushilKalia lives across the street. He said his wifewoke him up becauseshe smelledthe smoke.

"When I called 911, they sent two fire trucks," he said. "But when they saw the situation here they paged for more."

Kalia says the fire started in the middle home, and jumped to the other via the fence.

He says he watched the flames spread while he was on the phone, His wife ran to wake up the occupantsinside.

"They immediately rushed out of the house barefoot and they are safe."

No one was hurt and everyone in the homes is accounted for fire officials said.

"What we saw this morning, it's really hard to believe," said Kalia.

"The houses in which they were living in yesterday, it's in flames, and it's not appropriate to live in. So I'm very sad, but on the other hand I'm thankful that no one is hurt and everyone is safe."

Investigators have not determined the cause.No damage estimate is available.