Working smoke alarms are being credited after homeowners escaped a devastating fire north of Okotoks this morning.
The fire began just before 8 a.m. on March 20 and destroyed a three-storey house near Highway 552 West and 265 Avenue in Foothills County.
“The homeowners were actually at home when the smoke alarms went off, but they were able to exit the structure with no injuries or any smoke inhalation,” said Foothills County Deputy Fire Chief Scott Young.
Young said the house is a complete loss and the cause of the fire is unknown.
“This really demonstrates the importance of having smoke alarms on your property, with a minimum of one in every level,” he said. "There are multiple occasions where smoke alarms have literally saved lives."
Fire crews from Foothills County, Okotoks, Diamond Valley and High River responded to the fire and an investigation into the cause is ongoing.
“It was a huge, concerted effort,” Young said.