Marlborough strip mall heavily damaged in overnight fire

Several businesses in a northeast Calgary strip mall have been affected by an overnight fire. Mason DePatie has details.

Several businesses are damaged after a large fire at a Marlborough strip mall early Friday morning.

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The Calgary Fire Department said it was called to the strip mall on 36 Street N.E. and Marlborough Drive around 1 a.m.

When firefighters got there, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the roof.

Due to the size of the building and how big the fire was when crews arrived, a second alarm was called.

Officials said firefighters forced entry into the building and deployed hose lines to keep the fire confined to the roof area.

Crews also utilized aerial ladder and ground ladders to move crews to the roof and to open the affected portion.

Once they were able to access it, the fire was brought under control.

In total, nearly a dozen fire trucks attended.

The fire department said no occupants were inside at the time and it managed to hold the fire to the south end roof structure.

The building is heavily damaged with a hole in its roof and much of the front has collapsed.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.