Flames were visible from Highway 22 and Westside Drive as smoke washed over the Ramada hotel in Cochrane Sunday, Feb. 6.
Crews from Cochrane Fire Services, Rocky View County and Redwood Meadows responded to a fire at the hotel after it broke out around 2 p.m.
"That strong wind pushed the fire through the attic pretty quickly," said Cochrane Fire Services inspector Jeff Avery. "Once we knew the building was evacuated we shut down all of the adjacent buildings."
Westerly winds pushed heavy smoke over Highway 22 and neighbouring residences in Glenbow.
Based on the first sign of smoke, Avery estimates the fire may have started in the top northwest corner of the building. The cause and exact location of where it started is not yet known.
Ramada hotel staff provided firefighters with all the room numbers of where guests were staying.
"We sent crews in there, knocked on the doors and then beat the doors in if there was no answer to make sure nobody was in there," said Avery. "We're pretty confident that everybody did get out."
Cochrane Fire's aerial ladder truck was on site and another ladder truck from the Calgary Fire Department arrived around 4 p.m. to help.
The blaze was categorized as under control as of 5 p.m., about three hours after crews first arrived.
Cochrane RCMP have closed Westside Drive and Cochranites are still being asked to avoid the area to allow space for firefighters to work.
More to come.
