One dead after explosion, fire at downtown Calgary seniors home

One person is dead after a fire broke out following an explosion at a downtown Calgary seniors home.

Emergency crews were called to the retirement home in the East Village on 6 Street SE near 9 Avenue SE around 3:45 p.m. Friday.

Fire officials tell CityNews they received reports of an explosion on an upper floor of the seven-story residence. The blast activated the building’s fire alarms which prompted most people to evacuate.

Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke says crews encountered black smoke and flames coming from the fourth floor where a glass window had been blown out. Crews were able to contain the fire to the original unit.

One person who was in the suite where the explosion happened was pronounced dead at the scene. Someone in a neighbouring suite was taken to hospital with injuries.

Everyone else was evacuated from the building with the exception of some residents who have mobility issues. Transit buses were called in to shelter people who were unable to return to the fourth floor.

All residents have since been allowed back into their suites.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the explosion.