Calgary fire crews respond to kitchen fire in Auburn Bay

Just after 1:30 this afternoon, Monday December 03, 9-1-1 received a call for a kitchen fire on Auburn Bay Manor S.E.

A woman coming home from grocery shopping, heard loud beeping coming from her neighbours' house. The male resident then came outside and asked her to come and help him in the kitchen. When she entered the house, smoke was starting to build and flames were visible on the stove top. She and the man left the house and she called 9-1-1.

Fire crews from the Seton #41 fire station were on scene in less than five minutes and quickly extinguished the fire. The male resident had tried to enter the home several times and subsequently inhaled some smoke as a result. He was transported to an area hospital by EMS.

The fire resulted in damage to the stove, microwave, surrounding cabinets and ceiling in the vicinity of the fire. There is smoke damage throughout the main floor.

The fire appears to be accidental in nature and a fire investigator attended the scene to determine the exact origin and cause of the fire. 

Earlier in the afternoon, fire crews from McKenzie Towne #30 fire station were called to a possible kitchen fire related to a cooking incident in the neighbourhood of Copperfield. There was no damage however a smoke alarm also activated during that incident to alert occupants

Despite today's cooler snowy conditions in the city, the fire crew from the Windsor Park #11 fire station were called to the 700 block of 56 Avenue S.W. for a smouldering cigarette butt in a planter pot. The smouldering planter pot created a burning smell which prompted the call to 9-1-1. Firefighters found the soil filled pot outside of a corner unit of the condominium building and doused it with water.

Kitchen fires and the improper disposal of smoking materials are the most common reason for accidental indoor and outdoor fires in Calgary. Some important tips to follow are: 

• Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop.
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your house. Test them monthly and check the expiry date. All smoke alarms expire after 10 years.
• For any smokers at your home, ensure you have a sturdy metal container partially filled with sand and a lid, for the proper disposal of butts. Smoking material fires can happen at any time of year.

For more information on fire prevention and fire safety, please visit www.calgary.ca/fire

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