Fire crews battle 'significant smoke and flames' in downtown Calgary fire

Emergency crews blocked off a stretch of Eighth Street S.W. to traffic Saturday afternoon to put out a fire at an apartment in Calgary's Beltline area. 

In a statement, Calgary Fire Department (CFD) said fire crews "faced significant smoke and flames" from a fourth floor balcony at an apartment at 836 15th Ave. S.W.  Firefighters used hose lines to control the fire from outside the building while others fought the fire from inside the building. 

CFD says some residents were told to shelter in place due to the flame spread being mostly limited to the building's exterior, while others self-evacuated. 

Several suites were damaged by water and smoke, while parts of the exterior were damaged due to flame and smoke spread. Building management and a restoration company are on scene managing residents' needs including those who will be displaced, CFD said. 

A Calgary police spokesperson said an anti-vaccination demonstration was taking place in the area at the same time, but that did not limit Calgary police's ability to get to the scene. Calgary police provided scene security and crowd and traffic control.

A self-evacuating resident, Donivin Hiron, said he was sitting on his balcony when he saw flames. He said his friend, who lives on a higher floor, was still in the building. 

"It was just a little nerve-wracking at first because our friend was there," he said. 

No injuries were reported. CFD says a fire investigator is on scene to determine the cause of the fire.