2 homes destroyed in NE Calgary house fire

Two homes are badly damaged after crews battled a two-alarm house fire in northeast Calgary on Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency crews were called to a home on Saddletree Close NE, near 88 Avenue and 60 Street NE, around 3:20 p.m. for reports of a fire.

The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) tells CityNews the fire started at one home and had already spread to a neighbouring house once crews arrived.

One person was in the initial house that caught fire and was able to get out safely, along with two dogs, before crews arrived. No one was inside the neighbouring home.

“Two teachers from a nearby school jumped into action and started knocking on doors to alert residents about the growing fire so that any residents could quickly evacuate,” reads a release from CFD.

No injuries have been reported.

Crews were able to get the blaze under control around 5:30 p.m.

Both houses have significant damage and will likely be demolished and rebuilt, according to Henke. A third home was slightly damaged.

“Due to potential impending structural collapse, firefighters needed to transition to a defensive firefighting strategy to ensure their safety,” reads the release.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. The gas line and electricity has been shut off to both properties in the meantime.

Anyone with video of the fire before crews arrived are being asked to contact the Calgary Fire Department at piofire@calgary.ca.