At 12:25 a.m. on Oct. 18th, Lacombe Police Service (LPS) and the Lacombe Fire Department (LFD) received a report of a residential structure fire in the 5400 block of 45th St. in Lacombe.
Lacombe police were first to arrive approximately two minutes after the call was received and observed the first two units of a four-plex fully involved in flame. Lacombe police officers immediately began alerting and evacuating the affected residences, forcibly entering two of the homes to do so.
After alerting the residents in the second unit, a Lacombe Police officer was advised by the female inside that her husband and an infant girl were still upstairs. The officer entered the residence, yelling out and heard a male respond from the upstairs.
The officer went up the stairs and found the male trying to find his way through the smoke. The male advised his infant daughter was in an adjacent bedroom. The officer directed the male to quickly evacuate then proceeded down the hallway and found the one-year-old girl standing in her crib with smoke and flames already encroaching the room.
The officer picked up the girl and her blanket and found his way back through the smoke down the stairs and safely exited the home through the front door where he was able to reunite the child with her mother.
Lacombe Police officers then continued to search the adjacent units and ensured all residents had safely evacuated. The LFD arrived shortly after and immediately began attacking the fire. Two cats were rescued from one of the units by firefighters.
Even though there was extensive smoke damage, the prompt response and aggressive attack by Lacombe firefighters saved the majority of the structures. There were no injuries or loss of life.
“The 911 call from the first witness who saw the smoke, the prompt dispatch of the call and the quick response by LPS and the LFD were all critical to no lives being lost and damage to the homes being limited,” said Lacombe Police Chief Steve Murray. “Every police officer knows they could be called upon at any moment to risk their life to protect members of our community. There is little doubt after viewing dramatic footage of the scene captured by witnesses that the actions of the Lacombe police officers not only protected several residents, the life of a one year old girl was saved.
“I could not be more proud of our officers that night. They showed courage, dedication and professionalism in their service to our community and they did so under extremely dangerous and difficult circumstances.”
Other residents affected by the fire are being supported by the Red Cross and Lacombe Victim Services. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact the Lacombe Police Service at 403-782-3279 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Second residential fire strikes Wednesday morning
At approximately 12:16 a.m. this morning the Lacombe Fire Department (LFD) responded to a single family residential structure fire at 4725-59 St.
Emergency dispatch services first received reports of smoke at 12:05 a.m. from people in the area, which were quickly followed by reports of visible flames. The LFD was dispatched at 12:08 a.m. and the first unit arrived on scene at 12:16 a.m.
Upon arrival, firefighters found flames coming through the roof. Twenty-four members from the LFD, along with 14 members from Bentley and Blackfalds fire departments worked to battle the blaze. Despite a significant effort by firefighting crews, the structure was considered damaged beyond repair.
The fire was declared under control at 12:55 a.m. and Lacombe firefighters remained on scene until about 4 a.m. to extinguish hot spots. All LFD units were returned back to service at 05:00 a.m.
Fire damage is limited to the home of origin. There were no injuries to residents or to firefighters, and the property loss is estimated at $500,000. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
“This is the second significant structure fire in Lacombe this week,” said LFD Fire Chief Ed vanDelden. “A fantastic turnout of Lacombe firefighters and the very capable assistance of our colleagues from Bentley and Blackfalds are responsible for both fires being contained quickly. The Lacombe Fire Department is staffed predominately by volunteers, and I am proud and very appreciative of their time and efforts."