ATHABASCA - Emergency responders are currently on the scene of a large structure fire at the old Home Hardware building in downtown Athabasca and are asking bystanders to keep their distance.
The Athabasca Fire Department was called to the scene at approximately 6:30 this evening, and arrived to find the building engulfed in flames. RCMP and EMS were also called to the scene, while dozens of residents stood by at nearby Riverfront Park.
A large cloud of smoke could be seen from miles away, while on the scene Athabasca peace officer Brian Bandura instructed onlookers to back away while the flames grew and the smoke charted a course south and east and is now covering the entire town.
Numerous intersections, including that of Highway 2 and Highway 55 are blocked off and drivers can expect that to be in place into the morning and beyond, as well as other streets in the downtown core.
More information as it becomes available.
