Calgary fire crews respond to two different incidents

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Calgary fire crews were busy at work Wednesday, responding to two separate incidents and handling the ongoing fire investigations.

First, crews responded to reports of a fire in a home on 17A Street NE.

When they arrived, public information officer Carol Hanke said they were greeted with an unusual sight.

“When fire crews arrived on scene, the doors were actually wide open and no one was inside.”

Hanke said that they assume that perhaps someone had taken up residence illegally.

“Upon further investigation, it looks like this home, this bungalow has been vacant for perhaps over a year. The utilities had already been shut off.”

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As it was, there were no injuries to be reported and the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is still ongoing.

The building itself sustained some smoke damage and fire damage to the basement, but not enough to require it to be demolished.

Fire crews also responded to call of a house fire from a townhouse in the northwest.

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A perceptive passerby noticed an abnormal amount of smoke coming from the chimney, determined it to be unusual, and called for assistance.

Upon arriving at the scene, crews had to use force to enter the home and discovered a fire in the bedroom.

“The townhouse was completely fully charged with smoke and was self-venting through the wood-burning fireplace chimney,” said Hanke.

No one was home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries to be reported.

However, fire crews evacuated neighbouring townhouses as a precaution. Later, the residents were allowed back in after finding no damage to their homes.

Fire damage to the room of origin was reported, as well as smoke damage throughout the home.

The residents will be unable to return home for a while as a result.