Officials determine cause of fatal explosion at East Village seniors home

Fire officials have determined what led to a fatal explosion at a seniors home in Calgary’s East Village last week.

Emergency crews were called to the retirement home on 6 Street SE near 9 Avenue SE around 3:45 p.m. on July 19.

A spokesperson with the fire department said they received reports of an explosion in a fourth floor suite of the seven-story residence. The blast activated the building’s fire alarms which prompted most people to evacuate and prompted several 911 calls.

Investigators now say a fire started on a stove top after cooking oil reached ignition temperature. The fire spread to the rest of the kitchen and the unit filled with thick smoke — a cracked window let air in that led to the explosion.

The smoke alarm inside the suite was not working, according to officials.

“This was a very tragic situation which has affected residents in her building and especially on her floor amongst neighbours who tried to help in very difficult and dangerous circumstances,” reads a release from the CFD.

Officials said one person in a neighbouring unit was taken to hospital following the explosion. No other injuries were reported.

All residents were allowed back into their suites the same day.

The CFD have concluded their investigation into the fire and are out with some tips on how people can prevent kitchen fires.