Cleanup continues after explosion collapses SE Calgary home

The cleanup continues after an explosion destroyed a home in the southeast Calgary community of Mahogany on Thursday afternoon.

Emergency crews arrived to find a townhouse unit collapsed with fire spreading to neighbouring homes.

Witnesses reported hearing a big popping sound and were surprise only one home was destroyed.

Asim tells CityNews he moved into the complex 15 days ago and says he couldn’t believe what happening.

“I could see with my eyes that the building was falling down,” he says. “They told us to come out of the house quickly. I took my passport and some important documents.”

“I came out in my pajamas just took some of the things with me. We had to save our lives first of all

After getting out of his home safely, Asim’s attention turned to his children.

“Our kids were in the school and we were waiting for them to return from the school,” he says. “My mom was very much frightened about everything going on outside.”

He says the homebuilder, Jayman Built Homes, stepped in to help and gave the family some shelter in their office before moving them to a nearby hotel in Seton.

Despite the shock, Asim says he’s just glad he and his family escaped the incident without injury.

“Houses will come later, we can purchase more and what not, life is what is really important for us,” he says.

With orange barricades and police tape still in place, crews are working to remove the pile of debris from the site where the collapsed home stood.

Four people were injured, including two firefighters, and one of the injured civilians was taken to hospital with minor injuries

The unit where the explosion occurred was unoccupied at the time and all neighbouring homes were evacuated.

Calgary Transit brought in buses to provide shelter for the displaced residents.

Investigators remain on scene and are working to determine the cause of the explosion and fire.