Number, severity of Calgary fires on the rise, chief says

A rare four-alarm fire that tore through a 64-unit condo building in Inglewood Wednesday is justone of several big blazes this month in Calgary, and the sheer number and severity of the fires we're seeing is unusual, says the city's fire chief.

In May, apart from theInglewood blazethat affected 200 people, the bigger fires include:

• Afire in Coventry Hillsgut one home and damage three others.
• Two multi-home blazesin Country Hills and Coral Springs.
• Two other Coral Springs house firesthat sent five people sent to hospital and killed five pets.

Chief SteveDongworthof the Calgary Fire Department (CFD)says the increasing number of fires seen lately is abnormal.

"I can't remember a time recently where we've had that many within three weeks or a month,"Dongworthtold theCalgary Eyeopener.

Expecting to see increase in calls this year

Dongworthsays not only are we seeing an increase in the number of fires, but also the severity, with more two-alarm fires and above than what's typical.

Butwhat exactly is the difference between a two-alarm fire and a four-alarm fire?

"For any kind of structural fire event, we send a first alarm, which is usually two engines and a ladder truck and a rescue truck, as well as a supervisor," he said. "The second alarm you double that, and the third alarm you triple that, pretty much, and fourth is a lot of assets."

Last year, the fire department reported a 10 per cent increase in calls year over year, andDongworthsays it's a pattern he expects to see again this year.

"We're seeing a very similar trend this year to date," he said.

The chiefsays that with the increased workload, he's proud of the way the crews havebeen able to knock down blaze after blaze Wednesday's fire being no exception.

"Within about six minutes we had the first crews on scene, and from then they instantly called a second alarm, quickly went to third and then fourth as more resources were required," he said.

Trend of careless smokers causing fires

And, although there is an increase, the chief says the cause of the fires isn't something new.

"From our preliminary investigation results of fires, not including the Inglewood fire, we've seen a bit of a trend ofCalgariansnot being careful disposing of smoking materials," he said.

"So, putting a cigarette butt in a planter of peat moss, and we know that never turns out well if it's on your deck or right against your house."

He says the department isrenewing its requestthatCalgariansto be more careful with that, by disposing of butts in safer containers, such as a coffee can.

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With files from theCalgary Eyeopener.