No injuries reported following NE Calgary basement fire

Nobody was injured after a fire broke out at a home in northeast Calgary on Thursday afternoon.

Fire crews received a call around 10:25 a.m. that smoke and flames could be seen coming from the basement of a home along McDougall Road N.E.

Callers believed there was a chance two people could still be in the home.

Firefighters arrived on scene and quickly moved in to see if anybody was inside.

READ MORE:

• Hundreds of Calgarians evacuated from condo building after water leak

• Fire along Macleod Trail possible case of arson, say crews

• ‘That’s not an emergency response’: Man outraged after grandmother left on floor for an hour after 911 call

After a thorough check, the house was deemed to be empty and crews worked to extinguish flames located on the lower portion of the two-story home.

Fire crews say that fire alarms in both the basement and main levels of the home were not functioning and it was the fire alarm on the second floor that alerted those in the home to get out.

The fire was contained roughly 30 minutes after crews arrived on scene and, due to some damage to the building’s electrical system, the residents of the home were not allowed back in.

A reminder about smoke alarms

The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is using this incident to remind people just how important it is to have working smoke alarms.

The CFD says working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.

They say to always remember to:

• Test smoke alarms once a month by pressing the alarm’s test button and replace the batteries of each smoke alarm once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms after 10 years. Or, if you discover a smoke alarm is defective or broken after testing, replace it.
• Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement, and ensure there is a smoke alarm in or near every sleeping area.
• Plan and practice your home escape plan twice per year with the entire family

For more information on fire safety and prevention, click here.