A house fire that began in a boarded-up home along the 5200 block of Bowwood Drive NW on Wednesday morning ended as quickly and efficiently as hoped.

The June 19 fire, which began at around 7:50 a.m. in the community of Bowness, was put by the Calgary Fire Department with approximately 600 litres of water carried in a tank on one of the first responding fire engines.

Carol Henke, Public Information Officer for the CFD, said that due to the water crisis in the city the house fire was immediately upgraded to a two-alarm fire.

“There was an incredibly quick response, and it was also upgraded to a second alarm for the additional engines and tenders that carry water with them. The fire crews got a very quick knockdown, which is great.”

As part of the normal procedure for battling structure fires, Henke said firefighters attached hoses to fire hydrants in case the fire grew.

Fire engines, she said, typically carry about 2,500 litres of water, while tenders that also responded to the fire carry around 8,000.

Henke said that the fire began next to a sleeping area in the boarded-up home and that the cause of the fire is under investigation.

“We do know the approximate origin of the fire and we know that there was a mattress that was on fire and that fire then spread to other contents of the back room that whoever was living there was using but the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation,” she said.

“Definitely fire and smoke damage, and there are a lot of items inside that back room where the fire started.”

“It was supposed to be vacant, however it is a very secluded yard with a lot of trees and brush. So probably someone could go unnoticed, living in there for an extended period.”

The fire itself was minor, and neighbours spoken to by LWC weren’t sure of which house on the street the fire occurred at.

“The good news is no injuries are reported as a result of this fire,” said Henke.

Calgarians who may have witnessed the fire before fire crews arrived, or have photos or video of the fire before fire crews arrived are asked to email the CFD at PIOfire@calgary.ca.

Photos from the Bowness house fire