CALGARY FIRE DEPARTMENT BATTLES EARLY MORNING APARTMENT FIRE

Residences of a three story apartment building were awoken this morning by the sound of their fire alarm system.  At approximately 0415 this morning, Fire crews responded to reports of a building fire just off Glenmore Trail SW. The first arriving crew encountered a large volume of flames coming from a fully involved second story apartment.  The Captain called for a second alarm and directed his crew to set up a large volume hose for an initial exterior attack, which quickly brought the fire under control. After the knock down, crews entered the apartment and extinguished the remainder of the fire. Whilst this was occurring fire crews with the assistance of the Calgary Police Services evacuated the remaining occupants of the building. These people were initially house in an adjacent apartment to protect them from the cold and then moved to waiting CTS buses. Due to the large volume of smoke on the second floor some of the occupants, with the help of Fire fighters were required to exit their apartments using ground ladders. One person was transported by EMS with minor non specific symptoms. Crews remain on scene checking for extension and hot spots. Once the crews confirm its safe, the majority of the people will be allowed to re-enter their apartments. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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