University of Alberta-area fire destroys 1 home, damages 2 others

A fire near the University of Alberta at around 4 a.m.Friday destroyed onehome, seriously damaged a second and scorched athird.

The fire near111th Street and University Avenuetook 28 firefighters anhour before they were able to gain control.

"Both houses were fullyinvolved, said MalcolmHills, the station captain for Fire Hall No. 3."It needed a lot of manpower originally just so we could knock the fire back and start our search and rescue inside."

Fire officials say sevenpeople were living inthe seriously damaged homewhile two occupants and a cat were living in the gutted home. All are displaced.

Hills said the fire originated behind abungalow before moving to the two-storey home next door.

Crews expect to continue to hose downhotspotsfor much of the morning.

The cause is not yet known.

Hills said the fireserves as a reminder to be mindful of the fire ban.

"Keep your cigarettes in your vehicles, watch what you're doing with those cigarette butts," he said."We're fighting lots of fires."