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Photo credit: K. Fischer
one family pet passed

RDES responds to two home fires over weekend

Oct 5, 2026 | 3:25 PM

Red Deer Emergency Services (RDES) responded to two significant structure fires over the weekend.

The first happened Saturday just after 8 p.m. when a suite inside an apartment building in the 2900 block of 50 Avenue was on fire.

According to RDES:

“Initial reports indicated that smoke was visible from outside the building. Crews were dispatched, and the fire was brought under control in approximately 15 minutes. Because the fire occurred in a multi-unit residential building, crews then searched all individual suites to confirm the fire had not spread.

“There were no injuries, however the affected suite sustained fire damage to its deck and water damage following activation of the building’s sprinkler system. Water also affected some suites below, resulting in the temporary displacement of occupants from the original suite and the below neighbouring unit. All other residents were permitted to return to the building approximately 90 minutes after the initial response.”

Four apparatus and 17 firefighters responded, with one ambulance.

The cause of the fire, says Acting Chief Curtis Schaefer, was the improper disposal of smoking materials.

RDES reminds residents to ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished and disposed of safely.

These items should never be disposed of in planters, vegetation, garbage, or other combustible materials, they say.

The second fire occurred Sunday, just before 11:30 a.m., at a home in West Park.

Photo credit: K. Fischer

Crews arrived within five minutes of being dispatched and encountered active fire on the inside and outside.

Per RDES:

“Firefighters brought the fire under control in approximately 25 minutes and remained on scene for approximately two hours. Four engines, a ladder truck, command unit and ambulance responded to the incident.

“The home sustained significant damage, and although no people were injured, a family pet was lost in the fire.”

There was also damage to the exterior siding of one adjacent home, Schaefer shared.

The cause remains under investigation.