Firefighters continue to battle the blaze at the Grand Union Hotel in Athabasca after a fire broke out early this morning.
Police say are encouraging all bystanders and nearby residents to keep their distance as parts of the building have collapsed, and more are expected to fall.
Town of Athabasca Fire Chief Jason Sturrock provided an update, noting crews from Rochester, Grassland, and Baptiste Lake are being sent back for rest and crew refreshment. Sturrock said the crews will be called back later, but firefighter rest is necessary.
Sturrock said the department's main concern is exposure protection. With a partial collapse of the building in the southwest corner, crews are working to ensure no surrounding businesses will be affected by the blaze. The fire, reported at 5:41 a.m., has not spread, and no other buildings or businesses in proximity have been damaged.
Firefighters got a call that there was a fire at the hotel at around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
