Fire Chief’s worst nightmare turned out to be a miracle
LETHBRIDGE – The smoke has cleared, but a damage estimate can’t be determined in Tuesday’s west side senior complex fire, until an engineering report is completed, which will indicate how much of the building can be salvaged.
A total of 35 firefighters from four stations were called to the large-scale event at the Gardens’ at West Highlands retirement home around 3:00-pm. They were confronted by smoke pouring from the roof and flames climbing above that.
Fire Chief Rich Hildebrandt commends the efforts of staff and others who stepped forward to help with the rescue, which prevented the outcome from being much worse.
“Before we left, we knew there were 137 residents in the building, and all were present and accounted for, and not a single injury, which is, in this sort of event, an absolute blessing.”