A northwest Calgary community is rallying around a family whose home was badly damaged by fire Tuesday night. The Calgary Fire Department was called to a home in the 0-100 block of Hidden Springs Close N.W. around 8:25 p.m. for reports of a structure fire. Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and flames, stretching hose lines and making entry into the home to fight the blaze. But conditions quickly forced crews to change tactics. “At that point, the fire had extended significantly into the roof, in an attic space,” said Calgary Fire Department public information officer Alex Kwan. “We withdrew our crews and set up a water tower and were able to knock down the majority of the fire from the exterior.” Once it was safe, firefighters re-entered the home to extinguish remaining hotspots and searched the basement and main floor. Nothing was found inside, and all occupants and their pets were able to escape on their own. No injuries were reported. Kwan said the fire appears to have originated on the exterior of the home, and that it was mostly contained on that building. The blaze caused extensive damage to the roofline and some heat exposure to a neighbouring home, although it did not significantly spread to other properties. Kwan said a fire investigator attended the scene and is working to determine what caused the inferno. Firefighters remained overnight conducting fire-watch checks before clearing the scene Wednesday morning. Neighbours watch flames spread For people living nearby, the fire was a frightening sight. Gemma Festa was riding her bike Tuesday night when she noticed a large plume of smoke. “I just saw an enormous amount billowing, so I followed it, and I realized it was four doors down from my son’s house,” she said. Festa rushed toward the scene and found the home surrounded by emergency vehicles. She said she spoke with the residents and was relieved to learn they had escaped safely. “The homeowner told me they heard an explosion and automatically they ran outside to safety with their entire family and their dog,” she said. “I couldn’t believe how calm they were, it was just amazing sitting there on the grass and I’m just so thankful they’re no one was hurt.” Neighbours also helped firefighters by bringing them items and using garden hoses, Festa said. “Everyone came to help. Neighbours even brought slippers and a blanket for the family.” Nearby resident Arlene Qualtieri also watched as flames grew. “The police sirens, the fire sirens from the fire engines came flying in. Everybody was out on their balconies trying to see what was happening,” she said. “And then as the fire picked up, you could see the red flames just bouncing off the top of the house, and then the firemen spraying the water.” Cherie Chioto was walking in the area when she noticed black smoke billowing overhead. “We were watching it, and it looked like it was kind of turning from black to gray,” she said. “It seemed like maybe they have it under control, maybe it’s just a barbecue fire, and then we saw huge flames erupt.” Chioto said she and others nearby were worried about the people inside and neighbouring homes. “We were just praying for the families inside and nearby and hoping everybody got out safely,” she said. “It was just so heartbreaking for them to lose their home and their belongings.” Meanwhile, Holly Christian said her husband first spotted the fire through their window. “I was choking up last night thinking about the family and just how devastating this is,” she said. “But the response was really quick from the firefighters… they were working hard and we’re super thankful for all the responders.” Community looking for ways to help Now, the focus is shifting to helping the family rebuild. Robyn Moser, president of the Hidden Valley Community Association, said residents immediately began asking what they could do to help. “We were obviously… mortified to hear another poor family in the community has had their house burned down,” Moser said. The most important thing is that nobody was hurt, but the family now faces a long road ahead, she said. The association is working to determine what the family needs immediately and what may not be covered by insurance. “We are going to look at ways that we can help them out in the interim by raising items, money to help replace what can be replaced immediately, and so forth,” Moser said. The association is still working to connect with the family before deciding exactly how fundraising will work. For now, residents looking to help can watch the Hidden Valley Community Association website and Facebook page, where donation information will be shared as details are finalized. People can also reach out to the association directly. “It was actually heartwarming to see how much the community stepped up right away, asking how they could help and what they could do for these families to get them back on their feet,” Moser said. “Our community really pulls together when people are in a time of need.” A GoFundMe account is raising money for the family.
