Calgary Fire Crews quick response to Falconridge duplex fire

At around 1:30pm fire crews responded to the 100 block of Falworth Way NE for a structure fire. On arrival crews found heavy smoke and fire from a 2 storey duplex residential home. Despite initial reports of missing people, all occupants did self evacuate and are accounted for with no major injuries reported. AHS, CPS, ATCO & Enmax all attended the scene. Crews quickly knocked back fire before it spread to a neighboring home and then rapidly knocked down the fire on the back exterior of the home. Crews searched both sides of the duplex and temporarily evacuated the two neighbouring homes. There is some exterior only damage to one neighbouring home but both homes have since been reoccupied. The home of origin is severely damaged as the fire had spread along the exterior and into the roof. All the occupants will be displaced as result of the damage. A Fire investigator attended and determined that the fire originated on the exterior of the home and was likely caused by unattended outdoor cooking. A fire crew remains on scene to monitor conditions.

The Calgary Fire Department would like to remind all Calgarians on the importance of:

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fire, always watching what you heat, both indoor and outdoor cooking.
• Have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas. 
• Testing alarms monthly and replacing batteries at least once a year. Replace alarms when they get near their expiry date. 
• Plan, draw and practice a home escape plan with everyone in your household. Everyone should know two ways to escape in an emergency and where the safe meeting place is. When everyone meets at the same meeting place, they know that everyone is out safely.

For more fire prevention tips and resources, visit calgary.ca/fire

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