Sherwood Park fire at problem home investigated by RCMP and fire officials

A fire broke out at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday at 58 Glengarry Crescent in Sherwood Park, a home neighbours describe as a longtime source of illicit activity and police response.

Emergency vehicles, fire investigators, and police remained on scene into Sunday afternoon. The property was surrounded by police tape, dogs with handlers, and people in white hazmat suits investigating the wreckage. Neighbours said the fire occurred just days after the tenants moved out.

Neighbours say the property had a history of police activity and that owners have faced multiple public-health orders. Donovan Rogers, whose girlfriend alerted him to the commotion early Sunday, said the problems had become impossible to ignore. "So much illicit activity going on there that you couldn't bat an eye to it anymore," he said.

Alberta Health enforcement orders name the property owners as David and Olga Zurowski. When CityNews attempted to speak with people identified as the property owners at the scene, they declined to comment.

Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank issued a statement Sunday acknowledging neighbours' safety concerns. "I understand and share the neighbours' safety concerns about the ongoing challenges with this property," Frank wrote. "In addition to the fire investigation underway, the County will continue to pursue all actions available to us with Alberta Health Services, other agencies and the property owner to address this."

Neighbours expressed mixed feelings — relief that the tenants have moved out, but uncertainty about what comes next. "It's gonna be, I guess, a little bit of relief knowing that it's hopefully going to be torn down and something better will be put up there," said neighbour Darcy Duncan. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined by fire investigation officials.