Date: Tue May  6 17:52:15 2008
Subject: Fire in Coral Springs.
From: Fire PIO

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             CITYBEAT - CITY OF CALGARY PRESS RELEASE
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    The Calgary Fire Department was dispatched at
approximately 15:45 for a house fire in the 200 block of
Coral Reef Close N.E. The first arriving fire crew did an
assessment of the home and reported smoke filling the rear of
the home and pouring out of a side basement window that had
vented and broke due to the excessive heat. Firefighters were
faced with thick smoke as soon as they entered the main level
of the house. They made their way throughout the level and
proceeded to the basement where they reported zero visibility
and very high heat. The crews were unable to find the source
of the fire and had to pull out. 

   A search of the rest of the home was completed with nobody
found and family members showed up later and confirmed that
nobody was home at the time of the fire. The interior attack
on the blaze was later called off due to the floor being
severely compromised and having evidence of collapse. Reports
now indicate that the fire has breached the main level and
has consumed parts of the floor. 

   Fire crews are attempting to pierce the walls with saws
and other fire tools to try and extinguish the blaze.
Exposures are being covered by aerial water towers and hose
lines to ensure that the fire doesn't spread to nearby
houses. All other residents near the area have been told to
leave their homes as a precaution and to close their windows
to block out the drifting smoke. 

   Fourteen pieces of fire apparatus and approximately thirty
three firefighters remain on scene to fight the blaze.
Investigators are also on scene waiting to enter the home and
begin their investigation.

 -30-


Public Contact Information:

Jeff Budai
Public Information Officer
264-1022

Public Email Contact: 

    3-1-1contactus@calgary.ca

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