Community rallies to help those left homeless by Thursday's blaze in Auburn Bay
A Calgary community is rallying around families whose homes were destroyed by fire Thursday.
The flames destroyed basically everything they own, which is why their community is pitching in to help give them a new start.
Donations were piling up on Friday.
"Community is family to us, so we wanted to come forward and help ease the pain," said Balwant Singh, owner of the Auburn Bay A&W and one of the donation organizers.
Blazing orange contrasted with frosty white on Auburn Bay Boulevard in southeast Calgary late Thursday afternoon, as fire crews worked during an extreme cold warning, battling the blaze as well as the bitter cold and building ice.
"The incident was upgraded to a second and third alarm to bring in extra resources. We didn't want to interrupt the firefighting efforts but needed to rotate crews out regularly so they could warm up," said Carol Henke, public information officer for the Calgary Fire Department.
The fire started in one house and spread to a second -- fully engulfing both, totalling two vehicles and leaving multiple families homeless.
Community members say there are three families affected.
The dad of one wasn't home but the mom and two young kids escaped the house where the fire started.
A second couple with two young kids and another young couple lived in the neighbouring home.
"The neighbours down in this quadrant have surrounded the families subjected to this tragedy," Ward 12 Coun. Evan Spencer said on Friday.
"It's part of what makes this corner of the city special. There's a real sense of togetherness."
Community group Auburn Bay Angels swooped in, gathering gift cards from neighbours.
The local A&W is donating $2 for every combo sold next Tuesday.
The A&W is also collecting cash and clothing.
Donair Grill will host a donair kit day next Thursday with $10 from every kit going toward the cause.
"We don’t know each other personally but we feel the pain for each of them and that's meant a lot for all of us," Singh said.
Auburn Bay Angels say the families have places to stay for now but some neighbours have also offered accommodations if the families need them in the future.
Fire investigators worked during the daylight hours on Friday and are still trying to confirm the cause of Thursday's blaze.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972130.1721585719!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Mom wants quicker reform on disaster preparations, one year after flood took son
The mother of a boy who died a year ago in a Nova Scotia flood says her grief returns daily, along with frustration over what she considers the province's slow pace in reforming its preparations for climate disasters.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'