Hangar 11 fire suspicious: Edmonton Police Service [Video]

The Edmonton Police Service has confirmed a fire that destroyed a historic hangar in central Edmonton is considered suspicious.

EPS has confirmed it is investigating the fire but has not provided any additional information.

Hangar 11 at 109 Street and 117 Avenue was part of the former Edmonton Municipal Airport, previously known as Blatchford Field.

The hangar was built by the U.S. military in 1942 and was believed to be the last building of its kind in western Canada.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services was called to the hangar just before 7 p.m. on Monday after fire broke out and ultimately destroyed the building.

The fire was so bad that NAIT, which is situated next to the hangar, moved classes online on Tuesday, and told staff and students to stay away from campus.

The technological institute, educational home to about 40,000 students — around 16,000 of them full-time — announced at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday the main campus will reopen on Wednesday.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to …