Maryland fire-ravaged apartment will rise again, says developer

A Winnipeg developer whose under-construction apartment complex was consumed in a massive fire on Saturday has vowed it will rise again from the ashes.

A spokesperson forRanjjanGroup of Companies, who didn't want his name published, said construction of the Flats on Westminster will begin anewin about a month, once the area is cleaned up.

Alex Forrest,president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, said it was arson during a news conference on Monday, stating it was likelyfuelled by an accelerantthat caused the construction siteto "go off like a torch." An official cause hasn't been determined by investigators.

Police have saidtwopeople were seen leaving the area just before the fire.

The under-construction apartment complex,at the corner of Maryland Street and Westminster Avenuein the Wolseley neighbourhood, started burning around3:45 a.m. Saturday.The fire spread totwo nearby homes, left six people homeless and injured four firefighters and two residents.

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The structure was originally reported to be a condo complex but theRanjjan spokesperson said it was an 11-unit apartment block.He saidhe has insurance to cover the damages but is extremelyupset about the loss.

Damage is estimated at $4.5 million.

"It definitely concerns me, but I'm more concerned about people's lives, though. Buildings can be rebuilt," he said."It's unfortunate that it could be arson."

He saidhe feels terrible for the families that lost their homes. The community has been really supportive of hisproject, and he's gotten to know some of the neighbours in the area, he said.

The building was almost done and thepossession date was Sept.1, he said.

"I wish that never happened. It's a great community," he said, adding that he also installed more security cameras at another construction site about a block away, on Maryland Street and WolseleyAvenue,where RanjjanGroup is putting up anotherapartment.

Possession date for that building is Aug.1.

Adding more security will affect his bottom line, but he said it's worth it if it keeps the area safer.

"It's an added cost, so it's a challenge," he said."But that's life."