Calgary Fire Crews Respond to Fatality Fire in East Village

At approximately 3:45 in the afternoon of Friday, July 19th, 9-1-1 started receiving calls reporting an explosion and fire in a building located at the 800 block of 6 Street SE. Callers reported hearing an explosion from an apartment on the fourth floor . This incident activated the building's fire alarm system prompting most residents to evacuate. Some residents with mobility issues were asked to safely shelter in place. The building is seven stories with 143 suites and is for folks aged 60 and older.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames originating from a suite on the fourth floor. Tragically, one person from the suite where the explosion occurred was found deceased inside. Firefighters were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to additional units and floors. The force of the explosion damaged a neighbouring suite and injured another resident who was transported to hospital by EMS.

All evacuees have been safely allowed back into their suites. Fire investigators are on scene to determine the origin and cause of the explosion and subsequent fire.

The Calgary Fire Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

For information on high rise fire safety, please visit calgary.ca/fire . The Calgary Fire Department would like to share the following fire safety information with people living in high rise buildings:

If a fire breaks out

Large numbers of people may evacuate at the same time in case of an emergency, some of them from upper floors.

If you discover a fire, sound the alarm and call the fire department.
If you can hear instructions over your building's public address system, listen carefully and do as you are told. You might be told to stay where you are.
Leave the fire area quickly, closing all doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
Follow your building's evacuation plan unless doing so puts you in immediate danger. If you encounter smoke or flames, use an alternative escape route. Some evacuation plans may require you to go to a "safe area" inside the building and wait for the fire department to supervise evacuation.
Test doors before you open them. While kneeling or crouching, reach up as high as you can and touch the door, the knob and the space between the door and its frame with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, use an alternative escape route.
If the door feels cool, open it carefully and be ready to slam it shut if smoke or heat rush in.
Never use an elevator during a fire. It may stop at a floor where the fire is burning or malfunction and trap you. Go directly to a stairwell that is free of smoke and flames.
Once you are out, stay out, and stay out of the way of firefighters. Tell the fire department if you know of anyone trapped in the building. Do not go back inside for any reason, until the firefighters tell you it is safe to do so.

If you can't safely evacuate

Stay as calm as possible.
Never try to fight a fire, even a small one, until the alarm system has been activated, evacuation has begun, and the fire department has been called.
When using an extinguisher, always have a clear escape route at your back. If the fire doesn't die down immediately or starts to spread, leave at once.
If possible, go to a room with an outside window and a telephone.
Close the door between you and the fire. Stuff the cracks around the door with towels, rags, or bedding and cover vents to keep the smoke out of the room.
If there is a phone in the room where you are trapped, call 9-1-1 and tell them exactly where you are. Do this even if you can see fire trucks on the street below.
Wait at the window and signal for help with a flashlight, if you have one, or by waving a sheet or other light-colored cloth.
If possible, open the window at the top and bottom, but do not break the window.
Be ready to close the window quickly if smoke rushes in.
Be patient. Rescuing all the occupants of a high-rise building can take time.

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