The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) says seven dogs were found dead inside a home in the community of Ranchlands on Monday evening after crews responded to a report of a fire.
Firefighters were called to the 1000 block of Ranchlands Boulevard N.W. just before 11:30 p.m. by a resident who said she returned home to find the kitchen full of smoke.
“Crews entered the home and discovered a fire had started in the kitchen area and spread to the rest of room,” a Tuesday news release explained. “Due to a lack of oxygen, the fire had burned itself out, leaving a toxic environment as well as significant fire and smoke damage.”
According to the CFD, two of the nine dogs inside the home were transported to a veterinary hospital with concerns over smoke inhalation, and the seven others were dead.
The home was owned by a dog sitter and according to clients who picked their own dog up on Monday night before the blaze started, some of the dogs killed belonged to other clients.
“She feels horrible,” said Marty Lapointe, who is also a friend of the dog sitter.
“These dogs are like her own, and she treats them like they’re her own,” client Kelli Lapointe said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Anyone with any video or information on the fire is asked to email piofire@calgary.ca.