Four Calgary families are trying to put their lives back together after a fire destroyed several homes in the northwest community of Hidden Valley.

Marisel Garcia lived in one of those houses, and she is now reeling from the loss of her home and her business — a day home which she ran from her basement.

The fire was so intense firefighters were unable to enter the home where two adults and four children escaped unharmed. (Submitted by John Fredy Duque)

Luckily she and the six children, ages four to 12, who were with her in the home when the fire broke out at 5 p.m. were able to get out safely. Two of the children were her own and four others are children she looks after.

Garcia's husband had come home, smelled smoke and they all ran outside in bare feet.

"It was fast. Everything was on fire after that," said Garcia, who also heard a couple of explosions. "We were very lucky to be safe right away, because it was a huge explosion."

It's likely that it was a barbecue propane tank exploding, said a Calgary Fire Department spokesperson. But the investigation is ongoing, and the fire is not considered suspicious.

﻿ Teen leaps into action

Jaron Whelan was working in the garage when he heard a boom and saw that the roof top of a nearby house was on fire. That's when the 18-year-old decided to jump into action.

"I just kept hopping fences," he said. "I can barely recall what happened. Just started knocking and screaming for people to get out."

Two homes suffered significant damage and a fourth home has minor damage. The fire was so intense that firefighters were not able to enter the house.

"They couldn't stop the fire," said an emotional Garcia. "I can't explain the feeling."

Garcia had been renting the house for five years, but did not have her own home insurance because she believed it was the homeowner's responsibility.

The community association is organizing donations and people have been dropping off money and clothes and shoes for Garcia's kids.

"It's so difficult for me. I'm homeless right now. I'm homeless with three kids," she said. "It is the worst thing."