A cat died and two residents were rescued from a basement apartment after a fire broke out at a southeast Calgary home early Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The Calgary Fire Department said crews were called to the 100 block of Doverthorn Close SE around 4 a.m., Global News reported. Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from a single-family bungalow.

One resident had left the home on their own and was assessed by paramedics. Crews rescued two other residents from the basement apartment and transferred them to paramedics for care. A cat was found dead.

Firefighters remained at the property Tuesday to ensure the fire stayed extinguished.

Department spokesperson Alex Kwan told reporters that crews did not hear smoke alarms sounding when they arrived.

“Typically, a smoke alarm that’s working would be active in that type of fire,” he said.

Kwan stressed the importance of interconnected smoke alarms in homes with separate suites, so a fire in one area alerts everyone in the building.

Sources