A quick response from a homeowner and local firefighters helped prevent a small fire from becoming much worse at a residence in Kitscoty on Tuesday afternoon.

Just after 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Kitscoty Fire Department was called to a home after the homeowner reported smelling smoke inside the residence.

When firefighters arrived, they found a small fire burning in the laundry room. Crews immediately began an interior attack and requested mutual aid from Islay Fire & Rescue to assist.

Firefighters quickly located the source of the fire, extinguished it and checked the home to ensure the fire had not spread into other areas.

“The homeowner noticed the strong smell of smoke, and made the right decision to contact emergency services,” said Austin Armitage, Operations Officer for the County of Vermilion River Fire Service. “Early detection and notification contributed to a successful outcome.”

Following the fire, crews remained at the scene to ventilate the home and help reduce smoke damage.

By 3 p.m., Kitscoty Fire Department Captain Cody Asselstine, who served as Incident Commander, confirmed all crews had returned to their stations and were back in service.

The County of Vermilion River Fire Service reminds residents that recognizing the signs of a fire and calling 911 immediately can make a significant difference in preventing extensive damage.

Photo: County of Vermilion River Fire Service.