The cause of a fire that started in a southeast Calgary garage and then spread to nearby homes early Thursday is now being investigated by police and the fire department.
Police later said a number of fires in the Riverbend neighbourhood early Thursday have been deemed suspicious.
In a news release, the Calgary Fire Department said the Calgary Police Service’s arson unit is involved in the investigation but the cause of the fires in the community had yet to be confirmed.
No humans were injured in the fires. A cat that had been reported missing after one of the fires broke out was found and taken to a veterinarian in stable condition.
According to the CFD, firefighters were called to a garage fire in the 100 block of Riverglen Crescent Southeast at about 12:40 a.m.
Crews found a “large fire” that was already impacting at least two houses. Police said a garage was destroyed.
“Due to the size of the fire and the speed of fire spread a second alarm was called for the incident to increase the number of resources responding,” the CFD said. “Crews were able to utilize multiple hose lines right away to begin slowing the spread of fire.
“Aerial apparatus were brought into the scene to apply large volumes of water to the main body of fire and quickly bring the blaze under control.”
As crews were fighting the blaze, firefighters entered the impacted homes, including one across the alley from where the fire started, to search for anyone inside.
“Two of the impacted homes were occupied at the time of the fire and all occupants were able to evacuate,” the CFD said. “One of the exposed homes was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
“Crews from ATCO and Enmax were utilized to isolate utilities and AHS crews were on standby.”
After the fire was brought under control, crews remained at the scene to watch for hot spots.
Police said investigators believe there were also two additional “nuisance fires” involving recycling bins in the back alleys of the 0 to 100 block of River Valley Crescent Southeast, and the 100 block of River Valley Crescent Southeast.
“One of the fires was believed to have been set around 11:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, and the other is believed to have been set around the same time as the residential fire,” police said in a news release.
While investigators do not believe the smaller fires led to any property damage or injuries, police said the possibility of all the fires being connected is being explored.
Police are asking anyone with information or images of any of the fires in the area to call them at 403-266-1234 or to call Crime Stoppers.
“Investigators are specifically looking for footage of individuals in the area who may have been travelling by foot or by bicycle from 10 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, to 6 a.m., on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in the areas of the 100 block of Riverglen Crescent Southeast, the 0 to 100 block of River Valley Crescent Southeast and the 100 block of River Valley Crescent Southeast,” police said.
“Investigators are also asking for footage from homes with a view of 18th Street Southeast between Glenmore Trail Southeast and Riverview Close Southeast.”