El Cortez patio fire suspicious: police

Edmonton police say a fire at the El Cortez patio near Whyte Avenue is being considered suspicious.

El Cortez’s patio was heavily damaged by a Thursday night fire.

Firefighters responded at 9:45 p.m. to a report of the fire at the restaurant located just off Whyte Avenue.

When crews arrived, the patio and the back of the building were fully involved, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services said. They brought the fire under control half an hour later and put it out at 11:11 p.m.

No one has been reported injured, EFRS said.

The fire is suspicious, police told CTV News Edmonton Friday afternoon.

El Cortez said in January 2025 it was temporarily closed for renovations and has not posted on social media since. Google lists it as permanently closed.