Elderly Woman Dies After Northwest Calgary House Fire
A tragic house fire in northwest Calgary has claimed the life of a long-time community resident, leaving neighbours shaken and highlighting the critical importance of emergency response and CPR knowledge.
The fire broke out on Friday evening around 8:20 p.m. at a single-family home in the 2200 block of 9th Avenue N.W. Calgary Fire Department crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the residence and immediately began rescue efforts.
Victim Remembered as a Kind Neighbour
The woman was identified by family members as Margaret Coutu, believed by neighbours to be in her late 60s. She had lived in the home for decades and was described as a friendly and familiar presence in the neighbourhood.
Neighbour Zena Zalasky said she knew Coutu only in passing but remembered her kindness.
“She was a lovely lady—very friendly and always had treats for the dogs in the neighbourhood,” Zalasky said emotionally. “She always approached you and wanted to pet your dog. I’m quite shocked. She was a long-term member of the community.”
CPR Performed at the Scene
Firefighters located Margaret near a side door of the home. CPR was immediately performed before she was rushed to hospital. Despite these efforts, she later died from her injuries.
Neighbours also shared that Margaret lived at the home with her sister, Helen, and had been there since at least the late 1970s, making her a deeply rooted member of the local community.
Fire Investigation Status
According to Harley Spate, battalion chief with the Calgary Fire Department, the investigation into the fire was completed the following day. However, officials said the results were not yet ready to be released.
This incident was originally reported by the Calgary Sun. You can read the full original coverage here:
👉 Elderly woman dead after fire in city’s northwest
Why CPR Training Matters
This tragic incident is a reminder that emergencies can happen suddenly and without warning. Knowing how to respond—especially with CPR and AED training—can make a life-saving difference in critical moments before paramedics arrive.
Residents interested in learning these essential skills can explore CPR and AED training courses offered by Calgary First Aid, which help prepare individuals to act confidently during emergencies:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
Serving Calgary and the surrounding areas the lowest priced, highest quality OH&S approved first aid training, CPR and food safety courses for over 15 years!
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