Man critically injured in fire at former hostel building in downtown Edmonton

UPDATE: On Nov. 19, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) said investigators suspect the Nov. 17 fire at the former Dwayne's Home facilitywas deliberately set.

The Edmonton Police Service has been notified, and damage has been set at $200,000, EFRS said.

A man was criticallyinjured when a fire broke out early Wednesday inside a former hostel in downtown Edmonton.

Fire crews were called to the former Dwayne's Home building at 10209 100th Ave. around 3 a.m.

A man in his 30s was taken to hospital in critical condition,Alberta Health Services confirmed in a statement.

Sarah Jackson, a spokesperson with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, said the person who was injured was not a firefighter but had no further details.

Jackson saidsix crews responded to the fire and heavy smoke was coming from inside the building.

The fire was brought under control shortly before 5 a.m. As of 8a.m., crews remained on scene extinguishing hot spots, Jackson said.

She said the full extent of the damages won't be known until the fire is fully extinguished and fire investigators can enter the building.

The former hostelwas set up as a transitional housing facility in 2013.

With space for about 130 adult residents in 68 rooms, the facility catered to people who otherwise would be sleeping rough.

Homeward Trust Edmonton took over operations in 2019 and the site was temporarily used as a supportive housing facility for about 128 people.

The not-for-profit took over after the previous operator fell behind on rent, putting residents at risk of eviction.

Homeward Trust began working to transition residents out of the building in 2019, citing concerns about the site's financial model.

The building, owned by ProCura Real Estate Services, has been vacant since November 2020.

The company plans to turn the property into six-storey, multi-unit residential building and submitted a rezoning application with the city last year.