Up to six businesses in a northwest Calgary mall are facing a big clean up and an uncertain short-term future after water swept through their building Sunday morning.

Fire crews were called to Brentwood mall about 6 a.m. after reports of flooding at Safeway. They found water pouring up from underneath the floor of several adjacent businesses.

The flow of water, thought to be from a burst pipe, was turned off about 9 a.m.

Calgary Fire district chief Randy Yeats said about six businesses in the mall were badly affected and were unlikely to be able to open any time soon. The rest of the mall, including the Safeway, was closed as the main water supply had been shut off.

The building had experienced some heaving as a result of the water surging up from below. Gravel covered the back entrance to one business and some foundations, wrenched upward by the water, were visible.

“It appears (the water) was coming up from underneath the slab,” Yeats said.

“I believe it was a fairly big line coming in there. It has moved the building up a little.”

Crews were unsure of the exact source of the flood waters, Yeats said, and part of the mall car park had been blocked off because of the risk of sink holes.

“We don’t know if it’s washed out underneath.”

Businesses without water may stay shut until Monday, Yeats said. Those hit by the flood water could be closed for longer.

“I think they’ve got some major work to do here in terms of digging up and establishing a temporary water supply.”

Michael Yoon, who owns the Century Chiropractic Wellness Centre, received a phone call about 7 a.m. to inform him his clinic was flooded out.

“We rushed over here,” he said.

“The water was a good four to six inches. We’re in the process of trying to get it cleaned up and I’ve got to contact all my patients to let them know.”

Yoon was unsure the extent or cost of the damage to his business. He hoped to open a temporary clinic at a martial arts academy he owned on 16th Ave if he was unable to reopen soon.

“I was thinking … hopefully we can get this clinic up and running within a day but I don’t know. I don’t think so. Right now it doesn’t look too bright.”

It was the second time in a month the mall had been hit by flooding, he said.

“A month ago in front of the Safeway (a pipe) burst. Luckily it just affected the front entrance which is (a tiled floor), but now it’s the whole place.

“I’m a little frustrated.”

Fire crews were assisting business owners in clearing their premises to prevent further damage, before turning the scene over to mall management.



mwright@calgaryherald.com