Arson unit investigating as 2-alarm fire burns multi-family units in Sage Hill
An investigation is underway into a two-alarm fire early Saturday in Sage Hill.
At around 12:50 a.m., crews responded to the 100 block of Sage Hill Terrace N.W. where they discovered two multi-family homes under construction on fire.
A second alarm was called to bring more resources to the scene. Crews used aerial ladders and platforms to limit the spread, although the fire did spread to a third unit.
A 2-alarm fire burned a construction site in Sage Hill early Saturday morning. (Photo credit: Matthew Jensen)
There were no reports of injuries.
'TERRIFYING NIGHT'
Michelle Walton who lives in building nearby woke up at 12:30am to use the bathroom and noticed her bedroom was lit up orange.
“Looked out the window and seen this building engulfed in flames,” said Walton.
She then ran out to her balcony.
“I was just overwhelmed by the heat coming from the fire.," she said.
She noticed a lot of smoke near the building beside hers.
“It was just an absolutely terrifying night," she added.
Conrado Rivera lives in apartment across the street and was woken up around 2 a.m. His son's car was damaged by the heat from the fire, while the flames also impacted the outside of his apartment building.
“How can this burn like that?" Rivera asked. "I think there is no electrical there.”
Calgary Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Cowan said the fact that the homes were under construction increased the radiant heat of the fire, which caused damage to a nearby home and to a number of vehicles.
"You just have a lot more fuel available to be burned at one time than in a regular structure fire where it's going to take a while for it to burn out to the walls and burn the siding off and all that kind of stuff," Cowan said. "So there would have been a significant amount of radiant heat."
ARSON UNIT INVESTIGATING
Calgary police said they are treating the fire as suspicious, with the arson unit now investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.
Anyone with photo or video is asked to contact the fire department at piofire@calgary.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.