Thickwood resident alerted to kitchen fire by recently replaced smoke alarm

A recent house fire in Fort McMurray underscored the importance of an annual home assessment program offered by Regional Emergency Services.

On Oct. 20, firefighters were called out around 4:30 a.m. to a reported fire at a duplex in the Thickwood area. Unattended cooking caused fire damage to the kitchen and smoke damage throughout the home.

Fortunately, the owner escaped safely after a smoke alarm woke them.

Fire investigators noted that the home’s smoke alarms were replaced in recent years as part of the Home Fire Safety Program. The Fire Prevention Branch leads the program, a comprehensive home safety check that educates residents about potential fire risks.

The program provides free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to homes without them and replaces any that don't work or are outdated.

Fire Prevention team knocked on 1,000 doors in 2026

Each year, the program targets select neighbourhoods. This year, the team visited more than 1,000 homes in the Cartier, Timber Heights, and Bear Ridge neighbourhoods.

“Every spring, our team knocks on local doors to offer residents these assessments. We want people to be safe and live in safer homes – which means having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said Fire Marshal Nick Brenner.