Chilliwack Apartment Complex Fire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2019

Apartment Complex Fire

On August 09, 2019 at approximately midnight the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched
to a reported structure fire located in a four story apartment complex in the 45000 block of
Stevenson Road. Smoke and flames were seen coming from an apartment on the fourth floor.

Firefighters responded from Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and on arrival, reported seeing black smoke
and flames on the exterior of a fourth floor balcony. Residents were evacuating the structure as
fire crews arrived on scene, two adjacent apartment complexes were also evacuated as a
precaution. The fire had extended into the attic space of the structure, and firefighters set up a
defensive attack on the exterior of the structure to control of the fire.

Crews searched the structure to ensure all occupants had made it out safety. Emergency Social
Services (ESS) volunteers worked hard to meet the needs of the displaced residents. A reception
center was set up a Tyson Elementary to accommodate displaced residents, who were
transported to the school by school busses.

Firefighter’s worked hard bringing the main body of the fire under control safely and efficiently,
it then took several hours to systematically work thought the complex uncovering and
extinguishing hidden fires and hots spots, fire was extinguished around 0800 hours. Crews
worked through the day until around 1700 hours assisting displaced residents by retrieving
essential belongings from their suites for them.

The top floor and roof of the apartment complex suffered major fire and structural damage,
while the lower floors suffered major water damage.

One firefighter received a minor injury and was treated at the scene.

This fire appears to be accidental and is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department.

-30-