Two people, including nine-year-old girl, dead after Calgary house fire

Two people, including a nine-year-old girl, are dead following an early morning house fire east of the Calgary airport. The second victim, a man in his 50s, was found deceased inside the home, while the girl was sent to hospital but did not survive.

Fire spokeswoman Carole Henke says emergency crews called to the Taradale neighbourhood were met by roaring flames bursting from a two-storey home, threatening other nearby structures. Six people were inside the house: an adult and a teen who escaped through an upper floor window were sent to hospital while two people in the basement suite made it out in time and were fine.

Henke says fire crews don't know if the home had working smoke detectors, as those inside didn't report hearing an alarm, but the investigation continues.

Arson investigators are involved but the cause of the blaze is not believed to be suspicious. ``The Calgary Fire Department extends its heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident,'' Henke wrote in a statement Thursday.