1 dog, 2 cats dead in Thorncliffe basement fire

Smoke and flames were visible from the back of a house in Thorncliffe as the Calgary Fire Department pulled up early Monday morning.

The CFD had received a call from residents saying there was a fire in the basement that was growing fast.

The incident occurred at 3 a.m. in the 5400 block of Centre Street N.E.

According to the fire department, the search for occupants began immediately upon arrival.

The CFD said all residents of the home had made it out on their own, though not entirely unscathed.

“Four occupants were assessed by EHS paramedics for injuries, with one of these being transported to hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation,” the CFD said in a release later Monday morning.

Several pets were rescued by firefighters.

Three more didn’t make it.

“Unfortunately, one dog and two cats died as a result of the fire,” the CFD said.

“Three other dogs and two cats were rescued alive and survived.”

Firefighters and a fire investigator were at the house overnight to deal with hot spots and determine the cause of the blaze, respectively.

The CFD did not state specifically whether this home had working smoke alarms, but in Monday morning’s release did take the opportunity to remind the public of their importance.

The CFD made information about smoke alarms available online here.

General fire prevention information can also be found online here.

“In a typical home fire, you may have as little as two minutes to escape from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” the CFD said.