Homes evacuated as fire shuts down northeast Calgary street

Crews shut down a street in Saddleridge and ordered nearby homes evacuated as they battled a large garage fire.

The call came in shortly before noon Saturday at 34 Saddlemont Drive N.E.

"Crews responded to heavy smoke and flames. It was a detached garage, but it was so heavily involved in flames that a second alarm was dispatched," said Batt. Chief Alistair Robin.

The garage where the fire started was destroyed and the home severely damaged, with neighbouring homes also sustaining fire damage.

The fire department said in an emailed release that the occupants of neighbouring homes will be able to return to their homes but the three occupants of the home where the fire originated will be displaced. The family's dog was evacuated but their cat is still missing.

Neighbour Shereall Ramirez said she heard the sound of an explosion.

Her home was damaged by the flames but further damage was prevented by the fire department's quick action.

"[Firefighters] were here so quick. Not even five minutes," she said. 

Robin said he had not heard any reports of an explosion, but said there was some indication the residents may have been cooking in their garage.

"That's not confirmed, but there is some evidence of that," he said. "It sounds like they were maybe frying something. It's not as uncommon, unfortunately, as it sounds."

Route 61 is on detour from southbound Saddlemont Boulevard to westbound Saddlehorn Drive, to southbound 60th Street N.E., Calgary Transit said.

ATCO and Enmax were on scene to assist with utilities, and the fire department continues to investigate what caused the blaze.