Two-Alarm Fire Erupts at Under-Construction Duplex in Radisson Heights
Emergency crews responded to a significant two-alarm fire at an under-construction duplex in Calgary's Radisson Heights neighborhood on Monday afternoon, resulting in two people sustaining minor injuries. The blaze, which broke out shortly after 4:30 p.m., required substantial firefighting resources and prompted evacuations of nearby properties as a precautionary measure.
Fire Details and Emergency Response
The Calgary Fire Department received reports of flames at a two-storey duplex under construction located in the 2600 block of 11th Avenue S.E. According to CFD Acting Battalion Chief Adam Boss, the fire was "fully involved" upon arrival, necessitating a second alarm to bring additional resources to the scene. Police assisted with traffic control and evacuation procedures as firefighters worked to contain the rapidly spreading blaze.
Neighbor Nataliia Prykhan described the fire's sudden intensity: "I hadn't seen anything. I've been home when I started to hear someone knocking at the door very loud, and I didn't understand what was going on. We opened the door and then we see just fire, just right on the face. But just one minute ago, there was nothing."
Injuries and Damage Assessment
Two individuals were transported to hospital with minor injuries resulting from the fire. One person suffered from minor smoke inhalation, while a second sustained minor burns to their arm. Both are expected to recover fully from their injuries.
The duplex itself sustained extensive damage, with Boss indicating the building would likely need to be demolished "due to the state of construction and intensity of the fire." Two neighboring properties also suffered minor damage from the blaze, though no additional injuries were reported among residents of adjacent homes.
Evacuation and Community Response
Emergency officials evacuated animals from neighboring houses as a precautionary measure during the firefighting operation. Prykhan recounted her evacuation experience: "I just grabbed my cat and got out, and that's it."
Residents expressed gratitude for the rapid emergency response. Prykhan's husband, Lasha Jinjolava, praised the fire department's efficiency: "These guys are really so fast. They come and they did everything." Prykhan noted that the fire department's proximity to the area contributed to their swift arrival.
Investigation and Broader Context
Fire investigators remain on scene working to determine the exact cause of the blaze. The duplex had been under construction since the previous year according to neighborhood residents.
This incident marked the second significant fire in Calgary on Monday, following an early morning blaze at a northeast fourplex that also resulted in injuries. When questioned about water usage during ongoing restrictions, Boss acknowledged the community's conservation efforts while assuring adequate supply for emergency situations: "Water works has assured that we've got adequate supply for fires, but it's always nice to try and reduce our water usage so that for emergencies like this, where we do need some large volumes of water, that it is available."
The Calgary Fire Department continues to monitor the situation as investigators work to establish the fire's origin and contributing factors.
