A grass fire that sparked up overnight in Calgary was put out Saturday morning after crews from three different fire stations were called in to contain it.
Officials told Global News the fire call came in at 1:45 a.m. and that it started along the train track at Erin Woods Boulevard and 36 Street S.E.
The fire was out before 9 a.m., but spread along the tracks from 36 Street to 17 Avenue before it was contained.
CN Rail told Global News that operations were stopped for a short time due to grass fires near the tracks.
“We have no indications as to what may have been the cause of the grass fire,” a statement from the company said. “Safety is a core value at CN and as always, we will continue to strictly follow protocols and regulations when operating.”
Battalion chief Paul Frederick with the Calgary Fire Department said that the dry conditions in the city played a “significant part” in the spread of the grass fire.
Calgary is currently under a city-wide fire ban due to wildfire smoke and hot temperatures.
Ten fire trucks were required to get the situation under control, Frederick said.
Witnesses at the scene told Global News that when the fire first sparked, residents in the area tried to help contain it with their backyard hoses.
Patrick Poon’s home was near where the grass fire sparked. He says his son called for help and also knocked on the doors of their neighbours to alert them to the fire.
“On this crescent everyone got up and knew there was a fire,” Poon said. “They moved their cars to the lawns and prepared for the worst.”
No injuries were reported.
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