A devastating fire broke out in a strip mall located at 1079 Knottwood Rd. East in Mill Woods in the early hours of Monday morning, leaving a local business in ashes. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) responded to the call shortly after 2:40 a.m., where they found a fire had broken out in the corner of a row of businesses, causing damage to two shops and completely destroying a third.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the fire, but an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the blaze. The strip mall is home to 10 different stores, with the grocer, ice cream shop, and pharmacy being the most visibly affected by the fire.
A slow stream of people visited the strip mall on Monday morning, with some heading to the businesses that remained open while others came to witness the aftermath of the fire. The owner of Hamud Halal Meat and Grocery store, one of the businesses damaged in the fire, stood nervously as fire inspectors assessed the damage.
Residents in the area reported hearing loud popping noises before the fire trucks arrived, with some describing the sounds as explosions. EFRS had the fire under control by 3 a.m. and declared it extinguished by 5:03 a.m. The Edmonton police are investigating the incident as a suspicious fire.
The community is reeling from the impact of the fire, with many expressing concern for the affected businesses and their owners. As the investigation continues, the residents of Mill Woods are coming together to support those impacted by this tragic event.