Condo fire in Calgary leaves 100 out of homes

CALGARY — About 100 people are out of their homes after an overnight four-alarm fire that extensively damaged their Calgary condominium building.

A total of 64 suites were evacuated when the fire broke out early Wednesday at the fourstorey complex in the southeast neighbourhood of Inglewood.

Residents said a group of neighbours went around pounding on doors telling everyone to get out. There were no injuries.

Eight engines and four ladder trucks were called to the scene and a neighbouring condo was also evacuated as crews fought to keep the flames from spreading.

Fire officials said there’s heavy damage to the top floor of the complex, while floors below have water damage.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but residents say the blaze appeared to start on a fourth-floor balcony.

“It was frightening for us because we’re older people and we wanted to be sure everybody is out,” resident Pat Tetley said. “We’ve had alarms before go off, and people take them for granted. Once you saw the fire, you know this is time to leave.”

Tetley’s wife, Jane, said some of their neighbours were handing out coffee, blankets and even pairs of shoes once everyone was outside.

“People just ran out with nothing on their feet, so we’re very grateful this isn’t the middle of winter,” she said.

The exterior of an adjacent building was damaged.

Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said it’s too early to determine the cause of the fire.