The Airdrie Fire Department (AFD) responded to a structure fire at #3 Stonegate Dr. NW on Nov. 14 at 10 p.m.
A utility control room - which provides gas and electricity to businesses in the plaza - in Dickson Crossing had caught fire, but thanks to an alarm and sprinkler system, it was extinguished before AFD crews arrived.
AFD Deputy Chief Garth Rabel explained the cause of the fire is under investigation and said it was, ìsuspicious in nature.î
The fire triggered an alarm system which alerted AFD.
ìWe responded to the alarm and received about three other calls from people who were working out at the 24-hour fitness facility in the plaza,î said Rabel.
Upon arrival, crews found alarm bells ringing and extensive water flowing out from under the door of the locked utility room.
Firefighters gained entry to the room and discovered the fire had been burning but was quickly extinguished by the buildingís sprinkler system. The water supply system was shut down in order to limit and prevent further water damage.
There were no injuries reported and no adjacent businesses to the utility room sustained damage from the fire.
ìThis was an instance of the way the building is engineered, with alarms and a sprinkler system, doing what it is designed to do,î said Rabel.
ìThanks to the alarm we were able to get to the scene quickly.î
Rabel said systems like this are not uncommon and that most commercial spaces in Airdrie are equipped with alarms to alert the fire department as well as sprinkler systems to prevent fires from spreading.
ìItís been code for quite a while now for buildings to be equipped in this way,î said Rabel.
Damage estimates and the cause of the fire were not known at press time and the AFD continue to investigate.
