WATCH ABOVE: A fire occurred south of the downtown overnight leaving one man dead. It happened at a beltline shelter just after midnight forcing more than 100 people out on to the street.Tracy Nagai reports.
CALGARY- It’s a place where some of Calgary’s most vulnerable seek shelter but early Saturday morning, about 160 of the Alpha House’s clients were forced to evacuate the building after the Calgary Fire Department responded to a fire at the shelter.
Fire crews arrived just after midnight after fire broke out in one of the bathrooms at the facility.
Alpha House is set to re-open to clients at 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We are incredibly thankful for the outpouring of community support and concern for our clients and staff over the weekend,” says Alpha House spokesperson Adam Melnyk. “Our partners, like the Calgary Drop-In and Mustard Seed, stepped in to help out, and we are deeply appreciative for their assistance.”
The fire department evacuated staff and clients from the building early Saturday morning.
One man in his thirties was pulled from a bathroom and sent to hospital in life threatening condition, he died later in hospital.
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“When our crews did arrive there was one male patient in his early 30’s that had severe burns to 98 per cent of his body. He was transported lights and sirens to the hospital,” Naomi Nania from EMS said.
The Alpha House released the following statement after the passing of their client:
“Alpha House Calgary is saddened by the tragic death of our client in Friday night’s fire. We are like a close-knit family and care deeply for the people we serve. This loss of life of a friend and client impacts our clients and staff in a significant way. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this very sad time. He will be missed by all of us.”
About 120 of the evacuees ended up at Calgary’s Drop-In Centre.
“Certainly a traumatic event and they’ve experienced that a lot in their lives so adding on to that is something that we certainly like to see and they certainly shouldn’t have to experience,” Adam Melnyk from Alpha House said.
Even at capacity, the shelter was able to step up at a moment’s notice.
“The mood was definitely depressed. It was scary, it was traumatic for people walking in the front door. I’m glad we have such great staff here. We’re here to help,” Jordan Hamilton from the Drop-In Centre said.
The extra people creates some challenges, so the Drop-In is asking Calgarians to help out in any way they can.
“People can stay here for as long as they need to, I’m so proud of that. We are however appealing for help. If people can find it within themselves to give hygiene products, this morning we had to give out a hundred razors,” Hamilton said.
The Drop-In is also looking for towels, blankets or financial donations.
The Alpha House’s sprinkler system was triggered by the blaze and part of facility suffered significant water damage.
Calgary police said that the man’s death wasn’t criminal and are waiting for autopsy results to determine if it was accidental.
Calgary police have taken the lead on this investigation.
Alpha House is a shelter for vulnerable Calgarians suffering from alcohol and drug addictions, and has been operating for more than 30 years.
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