An early morning fire has destroyed an apartment building in Altona.

Altona/Rhineland fire crews were called out to the fire on 4th Avenue SE at around 1:10 am. The alert action by Altona police may have prevented injuries and saved lives. The fire was first discovered by police officers who were on patrol. The officers detected an odour of smoke, located the source, quickly called it in and then evacuated the building. 

Fire Chief Greg Zimmerman says the eight-unit building is a write-off.

"When we arrived one unit was fully involved and the second unit was burning really well and the fire extended up into the attic space. Since it was an older building there were no fire stops in the attic space so it travelled from one end of the building to the other through the attic."

Zimmerman says it appears the fire originated in the bedroom of one of the apartments, but the cause is under investigation.

All of the residents in the building managed to escape safely and there were no injuries. Four of the families living there, a total of 15 people, were immigrant workers employed at Friesens Corporation.  

According to company CEO Chad Friesen, all four families have been moved into the Friesens Corporate Suites where they are caring for their immediate needs. "We’re working with the families now to determine the next steps." 

(Photos submitted by Altona Police Service and Altona/Rhineland Fire Service)