2 people injured in NW fire: Calgary Fire Department

Two people have been sent to hospital following a house fire in northwest Calgary Wednesday evening.

Fire crews say they responded just after 8:30 p.m. to a two-storey home on Sherwood Mount.

Calgary Fire Department (CFD) Public Information Officer Carol Henke said in a news release they received calls from people saying they heard “explosions” along with the garage being engulfed in flames.

“When fire crews arrived, a second alarm was struck for additional resources,” the release reads.

“This was due to reports that one person may be trapped inside as well as the volume of fire visible.”

A father and his adult daughter were home at the time of the fire.

Fire crews say the two were taken to hospital by EMS for smoke inhalation injuries.

Meanwhile, two cats were also in the home at the time of the fire, and one of them is still missing.

A post on Reddit says Evanston Beacon Hill, Nolan Hill, and surrounding areas were extremely smokey.

House fire in the Sherwood NW/Kincora Area.
by u/Impressive_River_233 in Calgary

The blaze is believed to have begun in an attached garage and spread to the home, which firefighters say suffered major damage.

Some neighbouring homes sustained heat damage, fire crews say.

The CFD investigator believes the fire may have started from lithium-ion batteries. This is based on witness statements and evidence found in the garage.

No other injuries have been reported.

Lithium-ion batteries can lead to fires without proper care: CFD

Henke says lithium-ion batteries, while able to power many devices, can fail and start a fire for many reasons if damage is sustained. As a result, batteries can then overheat, catch on fire or explode.

She recommends people to stop using the battery “immediately” if there is an odour, a change in colour, there is heat, a change in shape, leaking, or odd noises are heard.

“If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire. Always evacuate and call 9-1-1 if there are signs of smoke or fire,” she said in a statement to CityNews.

The tips the department have for people

• Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Only use the battery that is designed for the device.
• Put batteries in the device the right way.
• Only use the charging cord that came with the device.
• Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
• Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
• Keep batteries at room temperature when possible.
• Do not charge them at temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above 105°F (40°C).
• Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire.

Henke says not to put the batteries in the trash and instead, to take them to a recycling location or to “your community for disposal instructions.”

Lastly, she says not to put discarded batteries in piles.