A hangar fire at Lacombe airport (CEG3), located about 20 kilometres north of Red Deer, Alberta, claimed three aircraft and led to the destruction of the hangar. The total loss due to the Sunday evening (July 7) fire is estimated to be over $1 million.

“[My son] and a friend were in the hangar and they went outside and smelled smoke and saw it coming out of the hangar next door,” Lacombe Flying Club president Jon Fromm told the Lacombe Globe newspaper. “His friend called 9-1-1 and my son called me. It was a really long night.” The Lacombe Flying Club is also the airport operator.

The hangar owner had been in the hangar earlier that day when a thunderstorm passed, after which the owner left. An hour later, fire was raging through the hangar. There was no-one in that hangar at the time of the fire.

“He actually built that hangar back in 1980,” Fromm told the Red Deer Advocate. “He’s been a member of the club for 40 years.” Fromm would not identify the hangar owner, however.

“Yes three airplanes were lost, along with other objects, but nothing that can’t be replaced,” Fromm said. “On behalf the Lacombe Flying Club, I would like to thank the Lacombe and Blackfalds Fire Departments, Lacombe Police Service and EMS for their prompt response and diligent efforts.”