Fire at St. Albert apartment complex evacuates nearly two dozen children from nearby daycare

Emergency crews responded to a smoky fire at a St. Albert apartment complex near Ryan Crescent, east of Ray Gibbon Drive, on Sunday morning around 10 a.m., forcing the evacuation of nearly two dozen children from an adjacent daycare facility.

Images of thick black smoke coming from the ground floor of the multi-story building appeared on social media as crews arrived. St. Albert Fire Services responded to the scene, with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services also arriving to assist.

The scene was taped off by fire investigators later Sunday as officials assessed the damage. It was not immediately clear how many residential units were affected or the extent of the damage to the building. The building's management office and the nearby daycare facility did not answer calls seeking comment early Sunday afternoon.

Postmedia contacted St. Albert Fire Services requesting additional details about the fire, but did not receive a response by the time of initial reporting.