Fire caused by outdoor cooking leaves NE Calgary duplex severely damaged

A northeast Calgary home is severely damaged and its residents have been displaced after a fire caused by outdoor cooking.

Emergency crews were called to a two-storey duplex on Falworth Way NE in the community of Falconridge around 1:30 p.m. Monday for reports of a fire.

Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze before it spread to a neighbouring home.

The residents got out on their own before emergency crews arrived and no major injuries were reported, according to the Calgary Fire Department (CFD). The neighbouring homes were also temporarily evacuated.

“There is some exterior only damage to one neighbouring home but both homes have since been reoccupied,” reads a release from CFD.

The home where the fire started is severely damaged, including along the exterior and the roof. Residents won’t be allowed back right away due to the damage.

Investigators determined the fire started outside the house and was caused by outdoor cooking that was not being monitored. There is no word whether the home had working smoke alarms.

The CFD is out with fire prevention tips to help Calgarians keep themselves and their homes safe:

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fire, always watching what you heat, both indoor and outdoor cooking.
• Have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas. 
• Testing alarms monthly and replacing batteries at least once a year. Replace alarms when they get near their expiry date. 
• Plan, draw and practice a home escape plan with everyone in your household. Everyone should know two ways to escape in an emergency and where the safe meeting place is. When everyone meets at the same meeting place, they know that everyone is out safely.

More fire prevention information can be found here.