It could be weeks before investigators find out what caused a blaze that destroyed a home in southwest Calgary and took the life of one person.

The fire broke out at about 11 p.m. on Saturday night inside a home in the 100 block of Evergreen Way S.W.

By the time crews got there, the home was fully engulfed in fire and crews could do little but evacuate neighbouring residents from their homes and use an aerial ladder to battle the raging blaze.

A second alarm was called and more than 25 firefighters fought the fire and eventually put out the blaze.

Once it was out, they found the body of a woman in the basement of the home.

“The Calgary Fire Department is saddened to announce the discovery of a body in a fire that started last night in the 100 block of Evergreen Way,” said Battalion Chief Larry Fisher.

The woman's identity has not been released and two other people who live in the home are out of the country.

One neighbour says they heard people banging on the door when the fire started. “We heard neighbours banging on doors immediately but no one came to the door,” said Terry Winnitoy.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This has been the second fatality in a house fire in just a few weeks.

Sherri Nicolls, a mother of two, died inside her home on February 6.

Calgary Fire Chief Bruce Burrell says Calgarians need to constantly think about fire safety plans and check their smoke detectors regularly.