A fire destroyed Medicine Tree Manor in High River Tuesday morning.

Around 5 a.m. crews from High River, Okotoks, Blackie, The M.D. of Foothills and Black Diamond were called out to battle the blaze that was shooting flames 50 feet into the air from the building, which was under construction.

High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass says it's a bit of a "gut punch" to a town that's had too many already.

"We're very lucky that it was a building under construction and not one that was actually housing seniors at the time. The hardest part is the seniors that were excited, and families that were excited to have their parents home and everything and get them set back up in the manor and have everybody close together. But that's the hardest part I think it's going to be another two years, again."

Fire officials are still on the scene putting out hot spots.

Emergency crews have cordoned off a two block radius around the fire zone.

There is still access to the High River hospital.

The Town has also opened 12th Avenue to alternating two-way traffic so residents at that end of town can get in and out.

Soderbergh House, which backs onto the manor, was evacuated as a precaution, but luckily no one was injured in either the fire or the evacuation.