The blaze originated on the stovetop as a result of cooking oil reaching ignition temperature, investigators found
A fire at a seniors housing complex in downtown Calgary in early July that claimed the life of one of the residents in the East Village tower was due to cooking.
When fire crews arrived at the Geo C. King Tower in the East Village, they saw smoke coming from the windows of a fourth-floor suite.
Investigators found the blaze originated on the stovetop as a result of cooking oil reaching ignition temperature and starting on fire, the Calgary Fire Department said in a written statement released late Friday. The fire then grew and extended to the rest of the kitchen, filling the suite with thick hot smoke.
“The smoke alarm in the suite was not working and thus did not alert the resident to the dangerous fire situation,” according to CFD. Once the fire consumed most of the air in the suite, a cracked window allowed air into the burning residence, leading to the explosion.
“This was a very tragic situation which has affected residents in her building and especially on her floor amongst neighbours who tried to help in very difficult and dangerous circumstances,” the Calgary Fire Department said while offering its condolences to the victim’s family, friends and neighbours for their loss.
This was Calgary’s fourth fire fatality of 2024.
The Geo. C. King Tower, where the fire occurred, is listed on the Alberta Seniors Housing Directory as a low-income seniors housing facility. It also houses the Alex Seniors’ Health Centre.
The fire department reminded residents to be mindful of safety while cooking, as kitchen fires are the most common cause of accidental blazes, CFD said.
Smoke alarms should also be tested regularly, it added.