Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village catches fire east of Edmonton

RCMP said several buildings caught fire Friday at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village and evacuations occurred briefly in the surrounding rural area east of Edmonton.

A beloved heritage site east of Edmonton near Lamont County caught fire late Friday afternoon amid warm, dry conditions and windy weather.

RCMP said several buildings caught fire at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (UCHV), located about an hour east of Edmonton.

Lamont County said its firefighters responded to the grass fire around 4 p.m., at which time it was still east of Elk Island National Park, behind the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.

The county said the fire was inside the UCHV, impacting the Visitor Centre and other buildings. It also jumped to the north side of Highway 16 as well.

While the fire spread to structures inside the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, the total number damaged was unknown on Friday night. RCMP shared photos of the damage, which revealed several buildings had been reduced to rubble.

Fort Saskatchewan RCMP got involved about an hour after the fire broke out, as the flames spread out of control, sending up thick, black smoke.

Police to closed the Yellowhead/Highway 16 between the entrance to Elk Island National Park and Range Road 194 in both directions for several hours.

Just after 7 p.m., RCMP sent out an update saying evacuations had begun for properties on Range Road 195, north of Highway 16, in Lamont County.