Fire destroys 3 townhouses under construction in west Edmonton

An early morning fire in west Edmonton has destroyed three townhomes under construction and damaged nearby buildings.

The fire broke out just after midnight at the structure at Stony Plain Road and 160thStreet.

Residents of a nearby apartment building had to leave for several hours while crews fought the fire.

"The police came and they put the alarm on and woke up everybody and told everybody to get out," said Hugo Arbuto.

Three ETS buses were brought to the scene to keep the evacuees warm. Arbuto said he couldn't get back into his unit until 3:30 a.m.

Five people have been displaced by the fire and are now getting help from the Red Cross.

Crews are putting out hot spots and fire investigators are now on the scene.