UPDATE: Apartment fire in downtown Chilliwack

Downtown Chilliwack was flooded with the sound of sirens this morning.

A fire broke out at a three storey apartment building on Mary St, near Spadina, around 4am….flames were seen shooting out of the top of the roof.  It took several hours for firefighters to put out the blaze and were still tackling hotspots late this morning. It looks like many of the top floor units were damaged and the roof was also heavily damaged.  Assistant Fire Chief Michael Bourdon says the fire is “suspicious in nature” and is still being investigated.  If anyone has information on this, they can call RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.chilliwackcrimestoppers.ca.

There was a minor injury to one firefighter, but all residents were safely evacuated.  The downside is, many people have lost their homes.  Residents were given stay at the Comfort Inn in Chilliwack, and there is an organization there accepting donations of food and clothing on behalf of those affected.

Our thoughts are with the residents and their families.