'We had nowhere to go': Dozens displaced after fire damages Deer Run apartment building
Dozens of residents of an apartment building in Deer Run were displaced after a Monday evening fire caused significant damage to the building.
Police said a call came in reporting a fire at Meadowbrook Apartments at 13531 Deer Run Blvd. S.E. around 6 p.m.
The caller reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the third and fourth floors of the buildings, police said.
When fire crews arrived on scene there was a large amount of flames and smoke, which prompted them to call in more firefighters.
The blaze started on the back side of the building and moved onto the roof, according to the Calgary Fire Department (CFD).
In a video submitted from the scene, fire could be seen on the roof of the apartment building with a plume of black smoke rising into the air.
Another video showed flames and smoke coming from the balcony of one of the top-floor units.
Flames are seen consuming the balcony of a top-floor unit in the Meadowbrook Apartments complex. (Courtesy: Justina Leigh)
Firefighters contained the blaze to two units on the third floor of one building, but there was extensive water and smoke damage to other units.
A cinder-block firewall prevented the flames from spreading to nearby apartment buildings, but the utilities for the two adjacent buildings run through the apartment that burned.
As a result, three apartment buildings with a total of 36 units were evacuated.
Like many displaced residents, Benjamin MacGee, who lives across the hall from where the fire started, returned Tuesday hoping to collect personal effects left behind in the rush to leave.
“Last night we couldn't get our cars out. We had nowhere to go. We managed to find a friend that would put us up for the evening.” said MacGee.
“We don't even know when we will be able to go back and live there. That could be weeks if not longer.
Once they're done their investigation that's when we'll know, but (it’s) pretty nerve-wracking for the next couple of days.”
Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke says there was significant damage to the top floor of the building and some of the roof collapsed, but no people were injured.
A photo from the scene of a fire at Meadowbrook Apartments shows where part of the roof collapsed. (CTV News)
“Tragically there were two pet rabbits that died in the fire. They lived in the unit where the fire originated,” said Henke, who added that the fire department’s investigation is not yet finished, but the cause is not considered suspicious.
“We know from all the major fires that we have responded to here in a city that the most common accidental outside fire start is the improper disposal of smoking materials and especially cigarette butts put in planter pots,” said Henke.
“That is never okay and you are literally playing with fire with that, and you are putting not only yourself and your home at risk but those around you.”
The fire department says most renters in Calgary do not have rental insurance. Residents at the Deer Run apartments where the fire happened, however, are an exception.
Several confirmed to CTV News that carrying a rental insurance policy is a stipulation in their rental agreement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.