A harrowing situation for members of the Calgary Fire Department on Wednesday night while responding to a fire call in a highrise apartment in the Beltline.

Detective Bruce Brown says fire crews were investigating the call at the building at 8 Street and 15 Avenue southwest shortly before 6 p.m. when the situation deteriorated.

“Once firefighters were at scene, two firefighters encountered a male in the building’s stairwell. At that point, a physical confrontation occurred and the firefighters were assaulted and threatened with a weapon,” said Brown.

“The man then retreated into a suite within his building.”

Brown says the weapon the person brandished was a knife.

Firefighters immediately called police to assist.

Brown said when they arrived, they found the door to the suite closed.

“We breached the door and took a man and woman into custody at that time.”

During the arrest, five people were exposed to pepper spray, four of which were first responders.

All were treated at the scene by paramedics and released.

The man is now facing charges in connection with the incident.