Fire crews were called to the scene of a house fire in the McKenzie Lake area in the city's southeast on Wednesday afternoon.

Area residents called 911 after flames were spotted shooting out of the roof of a home in the 14500 block of Mount McKenzie Dr. S.E. at about 12:50 p.m.

"Before our fire crews even arrived, they called a second alarm due to the amount of smoke and fire that was visible," said Carol Henke, Public Information Officer Calgary Fire Department.

Henke says the quick work of fire crews kept the fire from spreading to neighbouring structures.

“Fire crews did an amazing job knocking down this fire very quickly. There is some siding damage to a neighbouring home and no damage to the home to the south,” she said.

The back of the home was heavily damaged and smoke from the fire could be seen across the community.

"Basically the back of the home is very severely damaged due to fire," said Henke. "Currently the fire is under control and our fire crews continue to put out a few hot spots."

Fire officials say the family, including four children, were able to get out of the home safely without injuries.

They say smoke alarms in the home did not activate and fire investigators are looking into the cause.