Calgary Fire Crews Battle Seniors Residence Apartment Fire

At Approximately 2:45 in the afternoon of Thursday, July 27, calls started coming in to 9-1-1  regarding a fire in a seniors apartment building at the 700 block of 16 Avenue N.E.  The fire started in a suite on the third level with flames and smoke quickly spreading throughout the rest of the floor.  Some residents evacuated and some  residents on the upper floors were encouraged to shelter in place due to their mobility restrictions and smoke in the stairwells. 96 residents live in this seniors complex.

Fire crews got a quick knockdown of the fire and then concentrated efforts on assisting residents  out of the building and ventilating smoke from the suites. Four patients were transported by EMS to area hospitals for smoke inhalation. Four other residents and one onsite worker were also assessed but not transported.  Due to migrating smoke and carbon monoxide, other floors where residents had sheltered in place were then evacuated by firefighters and EMS.

Residents living in the units closest to where the fire started will not be able to reoccupy their suites due to extensive fire, smoke and water damage.  Approximately 30 residents have been provided alternative accommodations and will be taken there by Calgary Transit. Upper  floors will be  reoccupied once air quality levels are deemed safe by fire crews.

Fire investigators are on scene to determine the origin and cause of this fire. One lane of 16 Avenue westbound has now been opened to vehicle traffic.  If anybody has information, photos or video of this fire especially prior to CFD arrival on scene, please email piofire@calgary.ca

The Calgary Fire Department would like to share the following tips for people living in apartment buildings:

• Know the locations of all exit stairs from your floor. If the nearest one is blocked by fire or smoke, you may have to use another exit. 
• If the fire alarm sounds feel the door before opening. If it is hot, use another way out. If it is cool, use this exit to leave. 
• Close all doors behind you as you leave. Take the key to your apartment in case you are not able to get out of the building. 
• If fire or smoke is blocking all exits, return or stay in your apartment. Keep the door closed. Cover cracks around the door with towels or tape. Call 9-1-1 and let the fire department know you are trapped. Signal from the window by waving a flashlight or light-colored cloth.

For more fire safety information for older adults, please visit calgary.ca/fire

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