CALGARY- More than a dozen people were evacuated from a condo complex after it caught fire early Sunday morning in the Northwest community of Evanston.
The call came in just before 6:00 a.m. Sunday. Crews called a second alarm, after the fire engulfed the front porch of one unit on Evanscreek Court Northwest.
In total, 16 people were evacuated from six units, in the two-storey building. Firefighters say it will be at least a day before residents are able to return home.
It started in a townhouse and quickly began spread but thanks to the quick actions of a neighbour, everyone made it out okay.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. The sound, the smell, the fear of everybody around here, it’s awful” said Tracy Logan who lives nearby.
One unit was heavily damaged. Two other units received some damage as well.
“They will stay evacuated for the rest of the day as crews go through and ensure this fire is completely out,” said acting battalion chief Randy Mccray Sunday afternoon.
“They were so fast. They had it contained. I had to go over and give them hugs because I don’t know how they do it,” said Logan.
The heat was so intense, it melted the siding on the homes across the courtyard in the area. Sheldon Dyer alerted the neighbours about the fire.
“I looked over and there were just flames engulfed out. I just went running over there, got him to call 911 , screamed at him and ran over and banged on people’s doors for 10-15 minutes to get them up,” said Dyer.
A lot of appreciation was shown for the neighbour’s quick actions.
“Sheldon is the hero for probably saving those people and the dog,” said Logan.
But for Dyer, he only wishes he could have done more.
“There was no hero thing. We just did what we had to do. I’m glad everyone got out,” said Dyer.
There were no injuries reported.
Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
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