Cochrane was hit overnight by the largest residential fire the community has seen in many years, possibly ever. Nearby residents were startled by a loud boom before large orange flames lit the sky around 2 a,m, this morning.

The Cochrane Fire Services remain at the scene of a Fireside fire that has destroyed six unoccupied townhouses, engulfed the dreams of one nearby couple who recently moved in and left many nearby homes and vehicles with extensive damage from the blazing heat.

The Fireside Way blaze was fully engaged when Cochrane Fire Services arrived minutes after receiving the call. Additional support was received from Rocky View County and the City of Calgary on the second alarm to stop the forward moment of the fire that could have quickly spread to nearby homes and put the lives of many in jeopardy. 

Cochrane Fire Chief David Humphreys says it was contained within two hours and many nearby residents were evacuated. The fire did spread to a second townhouse complex and the end unit was extensively damaged and the residing couple removed. 

Cochrane Fire Chief David Humphreys says an investigation is now underway into the cause and it's far too early to know it's full cost.

"We're busy right now mopping up the hot spots, which will take some time, and we've started our investigation already and that will be a number of days due to the size of the incident and the fact that it has affected homes on the other side of the street."

Fortunately, no lives were lost and even two cats threatened with death were rescued by firefighters from the one occupied home that did ignite. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, steam burns largely, while fighting the fire, says Humphreys.

"They're OK," says Humphreys. "They stayed on the job the whole time even though they had injuries and they're now off to be checked out this morning."

Jessica Reginato lives in the 100 block of Fireside Bend and says a bang awoke her at 1:58 a.m. and shortly after that orange flames engulfed the sky. "The complexes that were there are...gone. They had been working on that site for a year, and 90 per cent of them were sold, is my understanding, and people were to be moving in within the month and into August."

RCMP around 2:20 a.m. confronted Reginato who was watching the scene from a nearby alley was placed on evacuation alert due to the proximity. "They said you are on evacuation alert; you are not supposed to go in your homes, please water down your houses just in case."

While Cochrane Fire Services are not commenting on the cause, Reginato says it's been rumoured a propane tank blew.

Reginato was allowed back in shortly after 6 a.m. and is thankful no one was hurt. 

Access to the south end of Fireside Way is blocked and RCMP and security crews will remain on the scene until the investigation is completed. There is access to the south end by working your way through other neighbouring streets, says Humphreys.

Eleven nearby homes and eight vehicles received extensive heat damage and melted siding can be viewed from the street as well as deep scorch marks on vehicles.

A van across the street and north of the townhouses reduced to cinder was among the vehicles scorched by the fire.

"Some of those people will be out of their homes for at least today or possibly tomorrow because we have to look at each one of those homes because of the fire damage. We also have to make sure it's safe for them to return."

At its peak, 18 firefighters and three chief officers, says Humphreys. Two RVC units and a City of Calgary aerial unit lent their support. Now the crew it much smaller as mop-up continues and the focus becomes the investigation.

"I commend the guys and the county and city for sending the trucks so quickly and for everybody coming together and getting control over it as quickly and as well as we did," says Humphreys.

"I can't comment on the investigation at this point. It's way too early in the process and I also can't give you a magnitude of cost yet."

"This is the largest one we've had for a very long time."

MORE COVERAGE TO FOLLOW.