FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2023

Series of Early Moring Fires Destroys a Vacant Building

The Chilliwack Fire Department responded to a series of early morning fires this morning resulting in damaged hedging and destroying a boarded-up house.

At approximately 02:00am the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported hedge fire located in the 45000 block of Victoria Ave. One engine responded from Hall 1 to extinguish the fire.

At approximately 02:15 the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported hedge fire located at the corner of Victoria Ave and Robson St. Neighbours extinguished the fire and one engine responded from Hall 1 to confirm the fire was extinguished.

At approximately 04:15 the Chilliwack Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 45000 block of Reece Ave. 31 firefighters responded from Halls 1, 4 and 6, and on arrival, reported seeing heavy fire and black smoke venting from the structure. The structure was vacant and boarded up at the time of the fire.

The first arriving fire officer called for a 2nd alarm and crews worked quickly to perform an exterior attack on the fire, while securing a water supply to bring the fire under control. The building suffered major fire damage and an excavator was called in to demolish the structure.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

This fire is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department and RCMP fire investigators. If anyone has any information about this fire, they are asked to call the RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.upperfraservalleycrimestoppers.ca
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2023

Smoking Materials Cause Fire

At approximately 04:00am this morning the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire located in the 7000 block of Maitland Avenue.

Firefighters responded from Hall 4 and on arrival, reported fire had been extinguished by occupants who were home at the time of the fire. The officer from the initial arriving apparatus downgraded all other incoming fire apparatus, and began overhaul operations to ensure the fire was completely extinguished.

The home suffered minor fire and smoke damage.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

This fire appears to be accidental and caused by discarded smoking materials.

Chilliwack Fire Dept. wants to remind the public to ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished in an approved container.
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Filed under: Chilliwack, Chilliwack Fire Department, fire, hedges, Investigate, investigation, smoking, suspicious