Massive fire destroys 2 homes under construction in Rocky View County

Two homes have burned to the ground in Rocky View County, sending plumes of smoke into the air Thursday afternoon. Three other homes were damaged.

A structure fire fuelled by high winds tore through a residential development in Rocky View County on Thursday afternoon, completely levelling two homes and damaging others.

The blaze broke out around 2:30 p.m. on Durham Way in the community of Conrich, just east of Calgary.

Plumes of thick, black smoke were visible for miles, with residents in Calgary reporting sightings of the dark column rising over the horizon.

Rapid spread

According to Rocky View County deputy fire chief Jon Evans, the fire began in a home currently under construction.

Extreme wind conditions in the area caused the flames to jump to a neighbouring property quickly.

While the two primary homes were completely demolished, fire crews managed to prevent the inferno from claiming more of the block.

Three additional neighbouring homes sustained minor exterior damage.

Multi-agency response

The severity of the fire required a co-ordinated effort from several regional departments.

Crews from Rocky View County, Calgary and Chestermere worked in tandem to bring the flames under control and protect the surrounding properties.

No injuries were reported.

Evans confirmed a worker was inside the initial home when the fire started and was the one to call it in.

“There was one worker in the home—the home under construction—who reported the fire," Evans said.

“The fire was in a different area of the structure at the time. So, investigation is still working on that.”

The cause of the fire has not been determined yet.

Fire advisory in effect

The incident comes at a time of heightened risk for the region.

Rocky View County had already issued a Fire Advisory for both the East and West districts due to unseasonably dry and windy conditions.

Under the current advisory:

• no new fire permits will be issued;
• existing permits are officially suspended; and
• residents are urged to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activities that could spark a flame.