One in hospital, 12 homeless in Calgary fire

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Calgary firefighters. File photo.

CALGARY – A woman was severely burned and 12 other people were rendered homeless after a fire engulfed a single storey ‘fiveplex’ early Sunday morning.

Calgary fire crew found thick smoke pouring from the home when they arrived at the residence at 804 – 44 St. SE at approximately 1:33 a.m.

Firemen found a woman suffering from severe second degree burns and smoke inhalation. A fire department spokesman said she was given first aid and then rushed to hospital.

“Fire crews were met by thick smoke pouring from the one-storey fiveplex and found a female occupant leaving the suite with 2nd degree burns and smoke inhalation. She was examined by an AHS ambulance crew and transported to Foothills Hospital,” the department said in an early morning statement.

A transit bus was brought in to allow the 12 who escaped the fire to get temporary shelter in the cold weather.

“Twelve other occupants of the fiveplex were evacuated and sheltered in a Transit bus during the fire,” the fire department said. “Eight of the twelve will be put up in local hotels by the Red Cross for the night; the remaining four will stay with relatives.”

27 firefighters battled the blaze through thick smoke and damage was estimated at approximately $30,000.

Most of the damage was contained in one of the five homes within the building.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.