Calgary,
20
October
2022
|
09:22
America/Denver

Calgary fire crews battle Bowness house fire

One person found deceased

Just after 05:00 on the morning of Thursday, October 20,  a fire was reported to 9-1-1 by a passerby in the community of Bowness. The caller reported smoke coming from  a multi-residential  building located at the 4300 block of 73 Street N.W.  The building has 12 suites however only five of the suites had tenants living in them.

Very shortly after being dispatched, fire crews arrived and were met with significant smoke and flames coming from the front door of the suite of origin.  The fire was  quickly upgraded to a second alarm to provide more  resources to the scene. Once firefighters gained entrance to the residence and brought the fire under control enough to conduct a search,  they found a deceased male inside.  Damage to the suite is extensive with fire and smoke damage to other suites. At one point, a tree in the yard was ignited by the radiant heat and then spread fire to the roof and attic area.

No other injuries were reported and other residents evacuated safely.  Enmax and ATCO were called to cut utilities to the building  for the safety of firefighters on scene.  AHS was at the scene on standby for any possible injuries and CPS assisted with road closures.

The fire is currently under investigation and due to this tragic fatality, Calgary Police Service arson detectives are working together with Calgary Fire Department fire investigators to determine the origin and cause.  Fire crews did not hear any smoke alarms upon their arrival at the scene. 

Fore information on smoke alarms and their maintenance, please visit calgary.ca/fire

-30-