Edmonton apartment fire causes $3.5 million in damages

A massive blaze that ripped through a downtown apartment building Tuesday afternoon caused an estimated $3.5 million in damages, Edmonton Fire Rescue says.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said Edmonton Fire Rescue spokeswoman Jacqualine Ladouceur, but it is believed the fire was started accidentally.

The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. at the Royal Scot Apartments at 105th Avenue and 92nd Street.

In total, six people were injured as a result of the fire.

A child and an adult are in critical condition in hospital with life-threatening injuries. A second adult and another child were taken to hospital in serious condition.

Two firefighters were also injured when part of the building's roof collapsed.

Residents in the building reported five or six loud explosions after the fire broke out and several residents had to be rescued from their balconies.

The owner of the apartment building is holding an information session for displaced residents Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Mother Teresa Elementary School, at 9008 105A Avenue.

The Red Cross is currently providing assistance to the 50 people left homeless by the fire.

The organization will provide accommodations for the residents for up to 72 hours in nearby hotels.

Pets from the building are also staying at nearby hotels, or at the Edmonton Humane Society.