Edmonton Fire Rescue Services continues to investigate what caused a fatal house fire in west Edmonton on Thursday afternoon.
Neighbours in the area said Friday a woman died in the fire. Debbie Dionne said her neighbour and the woman’s husband were wonderful neighbours who always looked out for each other.
“She was really nice. She was a card. She was the man of the house. She told him what to do,” Dionne said with a laugh.
Neighbours told Global News the woman’s husband was at work about an hour away when the fire broke out. Dionne said the woman’s husband is devastated.
READ MORE: 1 person dies in northwest Edmonton house fire Thursday
Neighbours said they heard loud bangs that sounded like explosions Thursday afternoon.
On Friday, several oxygen tanks sat outside the home on the front lawn. While firefighters said Thursday they couldn’t confirm if there were any explosions, neighbours said the woman was on oxygen and worry the tanks may have had something to do with the fire.
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“The firemen came and there was a big boom. Knowing she was on oxygen 24/7, probably one of the tanks went,” Dionne said.
Firefighters were called to the home near 87 Avenue and 153 Street shortly before 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
“It was an intense fire,” district chief Daniel Blackburn said Thursday. “It did cause significant damage to the home.”
The woman was taken to hospital and police later confirmed she had died. Police said the woman’s death was not criminal in nature.
“It puts your life in perspective. It [reminds you that] family is more important than any material things,” Dionne said Friday.
“We went home… last night and made sure all the fire alarm batteries were working. We’re going to go out and get a fire extinguisher just in case.”
Firefighters said a dog also died in the fire and a cat is believed to have escaped.
The fire was limited to the one home.
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