Apartment fire in northeast Edmonton claims second life as police confirm death of missing senior

Edmonton Police Service has confirmed that 82-year-old Surinderjit Kaur Bhandal, who had been reported missing following a fatal apartment fire in northeast Edmonton, has died. According to police, her body was recovered inside the building during a search conducted the day after the fire.

Surinderjit Kaur Bhandal was the wife of 85-year-old Major Singh Bhandal, who died after jumping from a third-floor balcony while attempting to escape the fire. Family members said the couple had lived in Canada for more than 30 years and were active members of the local Sikh community.

According to investigators, the fire began around 9:15 p.m. Monday near 132 Avenue and 82 Street after a speeding vehicle crashed into the rear of the apartment building. Police said the collision damaged a natural gas line, triggering an explosion that engulfed the building in flames.

Edmonton Police also confirmed that a second person initially reported missing has since been located safely, and all residents of the building have now been accounted for. Six other people, including the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, were taken to hospital with injuries.

The cause of the collision and the circumstances surrounding the explosion remain under investigation by Edmonton Police Service and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. Authorities have not announced whether any charges will be laid.