Explosion destroys house in southeast Calgary, other homes damaged

One home was destroyed and several others were damaged by an apparent explosion in the southeast Calgary community of Douglas Glen early Sunday morning.

Calgary fire spokesperson Carol Henke said more than 25 calls were made to 911 about 4:20 a.m. 

“Callers reported hearing a loud bang, then seeing fire and smoke coming from the house,” she said.

“Some callers were several blocks away. When fire crews arrived on scene, they encountered a fully involved house fire with flames spreading to neighbouring residences.”

Firefighters are trying to get fires that engulfed three homes under control, but strong winds are hampering their efforts. 

The house where the explosion happened was so badly damaged, Henke said firefighters have not been able to go inside to see if anyone was there.

Anika MacLachlan and her son, Evan, were asleep in their home about 100 metres away when they were woken by an explosion. 

“It was a violent shake of our house, to the point where the cupboards rattled and the glass inside was rattling,” said Anika. 

She did a quick check of their own home, then went outside.

“That’s when we saw massive flames shooting up not far away,” she said. 

Five homes were evacuated in the 300 block of Douglas Glen Close S.E.

A second alarm was called in, meaning additional fire resources sent to the scene, and Calgary Transit also brought in two buses to keep evacuees warm. Some of those evacuated have been allowed back inside their homes. 

“The neighbouring home sustained pretty significant damage as well, but there were some other homes that just had some more minor damage like broken windows and melted siding,” said Henke.

Henke is asking anyone who has photos or videos of the fire to email them to her. 

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