Chilliwack: Fire Severely Damages 7 Unit Row Housing Complex

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2023

At approximately 23:30 hours on July 27, 2023 the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported residential structure fire located in the 45000 block of Lewis Ave.

49 firefighters responded from Halls 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, and on arrival, reported seeing heavy fire and black smoke venting from the rear of the complex. Occupants were at home at the time the fire started, and were able to evacuate their homes prior to the arrival of fire crews.

With the fire well established fire crews called for a 2nd alarm and worked quickly to perform an exterior attack on the fire, while securing a water supply to bring the fire under control. Allowing fire crews to transition into an interior fire attack and building search of each unit. The quick actions of fire crews prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings, containing the fire to the building of origin, which suffered major fire damage.

One occupant was assessed by BCEHS for minor smoke inhalation and firefighters rescued one pet during their building searches. There were no firefighter injuries. Several families have been displaced from their homes.

This fire is considered accidental and is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department fire investigators.

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