Dozens of people were forced to scramble to safety after a fire broke out in a downtown Calgary high-rise Friday afternoon.

The Calgary fire department said it got the call around 4:20 p.m. to a building in 1000 block of 13 Avenue S.W.

A column of thick smoke could be seen rising from the top of the high-rise across downtown Calgary, prompting the first firefighters who arrived on scene to call for more resources.

There are 72 units in the building and while many were able to evacuate their suites, Calgary Fire Department Information Officer Alex Kwan said others chose to shelter in place.

“If the fire is not in somebody’s unit they can safely shelter in place particularly if they use a mobility aid, a wheelchair or walker or something like that so you can’t get down the stairs safely,” said Kwan.

“Then you’re better to stay in your suite, leave the door closed, use something like blankets or jackets to keep any smoke from coming in underneath the door.”

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Kwan said firefighters we’re able to quickly narrow down the location of the fire to the top floor of the building, but were unsure if it started on the roof or in one of the penthouse suites.

A CFD “overhaul team” also had to be brought in to punch holes in the ceiling to determine if the fire had further spread.

Several roads in the area were shut down and people were asked to avoid the area, which created some serious traffic backups during the busy evening rush hour.

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