The Calgary Fire Department responded to multiple house fires in the northwest community of Arbour Lake on Sunday.
Crews were called to the area around 4:30 a.m. following several calls to 911 reporting flames coming from multiple homes and cars in the area.
CFD confirmed three separate homes and vehicles were on fire when they arrived on scene.
Eight residents were evacuated due to the fire, and one woman was taken to hospital for a minor injury, officials said.
“They heard this huge noise so they ran out of the house, and unfortunately, I believe their mother tripped and fractured her ankle,” said Sarang Kumar, the son of one of the homeowners, describing how renters in the house got out.
The cause is yet to be determined.
Borzu Toloui’s house was damaged by fire.
“It looks like being in a catastrophe movie,” he said. “It’s the last thing you expect to see early in the morning, especially on a Sunday morning.”
There were also reports of explosions.
“It was a dull thud,” said neighbour Charles Maclean. “I believe the first one was louder than all the ensuing ones. I’m going to say I heard five or six smaller explosions over the next little while.”
– With files from Michael King