Fire damages three homes in southeast Edmonton

An overnight fire in a southeast Edmonton neighbourhood caused significant damage to two homes, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services says.

A house fire near 59th Street and 10th Avenue was called in just after 2 a.m. Monday, fire rescue spokesperson Kristi Bland said.

The fire started in one home and spread to two others due to high winds. Two homes had significant fire damage while the third had damage to its siding.

Rey Galigo, owner of the house with the most damage, works in Fort McMurray and drove to Edmonton early Monday morning,

Galigo fled the wildfires in May. He said he was very sad to see his home burned but he is thankful his family is on vacation in the Philippines because they may have been too jet-lagged to wake up and escape in time. 

Sushil Kalia lives across the street. He said his wife woke him up because she smelled the smoke.

"When I called 911, they sent two fire trucks," he said. "But when they saw the situation here they paged for more."

Kalia says the fire started in the middle home, and jumped to the other via the fence. 

He says he watched the flames spread while he was on the phone, His wife ran to wake up the occupants inside.

"They immediately rushed out of the house barefoot and they are safe."

No one was hurt and everyone in the homes is accounted for fire officials said.

"What we saw this morning, it's really hard to believe," said Kalia.

"The houses in which they were living in yesterday, it's in flames, and it's not appropriate to live in. So I'm very sad, but on the other hand I'm thankful that no one is hurt and everyone is safe."

Investigators have not determined the cause. No damage estimate is available.