CALGARY – A family of four managed escape a fire in their Glenbrook townhouse on Thursday, despite the fact it had no smoke detectors.
The fire, in the 4900 block of 35 Avenue S.W. broke out just before 1 a.m.
When crews arrived, they found four people outside of the townhome, all of whom were suffering from smoke inhalation. One of the victims also had a second-degree burn.
A neighbour provided immediate assistance.
“They were in panic definitely and they were suffocating.. and I gave them warm clothes and then the ambulances and all kinds of stuff came and they took over,” said Naveed Ahmed.
EMS rushed the victims to hospital while crews battled the blaze – containing it to the kitchen.
Fire investigators say there were no smoke detectors in the townhouse and the unit next to it.
“Obviously smoke inhalation is a very serious thing – but it could have been a lot worse.”
People who live in the complex are also concerned.
“There’s kids and there are families and the condos are really close together.. so one fire could take down multiple homes for sure,” said Carol Brown.
According to the Calgary Fire Department, having a working smoke alarm in your home can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50 per cent.
The fire department intends to take that message directly to residents in a door-to-door blitz at the complex.
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