CALGARY – Two families are homeless after a massive fire gutted their Panorama Hills homes on Tuesday.
Fire crews found one house engulfed in flames when they rushed to the 200 block of Panamount Street N.W. around 10:30 p.m.
Although they attempted to keep flames from spreading, a neighbouring house was eventually overcome by the blaze.
Sixteen people in the two homes were able to escape to safety, but one of them had to be treated by EMS for minor smoke inhalation.
“It’s going to take a long time to recover, and not everything can be replaced,” says Julie Tian, who lived in one of the homes. “I’m just glad everyone’s pretty safe, and eventually it will get better.”
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Firefighters did manage to pull passports and some photos out of her home.
Officials say damage to the two homes was extensive, and investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
“We do know that it started in the basement, it moved very quickly,” explains Carol Henke from the Calgary Fire Department. “The main floor and the second floor did collapse.”
She adds that the fact both homes had smoke alarms, may have saved lives.
“We are thankful that they had working smoke alarms, and that’s what alerted them to the fire. It’s a reminder to ensure you have working smoke alarms on every level.”
BELOW: The aftermath of the fast-moving fire.
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