Chilliwack - Smoke Alarms Alert Residents to Townhouse Fire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2021

Smoke Alarms Alert Residents to Townhouse Fire

At 1:37am this morning, 35 firefighters from Chilliwack firehalls 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 responded to a confirmed structure fire in a 3 storey townhouse located in the 43000 block of Alameda Drive. Fire crews arrived on scene to a fully involved fire in one of the townhouse units with the fire moving into the adjoining townhouse.

Firefighters managed to control the fire and protect the adjacent exposures. Firefighters overhauled both units and extinguished the fire.

Both townhouses were severely damaged by fire, smoke and water. There was minor heat damage to the exterior of an adjacent townhouse.

The use of a limited combustible hardie board cladding on the exterior of the townhouse units reduced the fire spread and damage to the buildings.

The townhouses were not sprinklered as they were constructed prior to adoption of the City of Chilliwack sprinkler bylaw in 2007.

Working smoke alarms had initially alerted the residents and they managed to safely evacuate their townhouse. They were treated for possible smoke inhalation by BCEHS paramedics and released at the scene.

A firefighter suffered neck and back injuries when he was struck by pieces of gyproc falling from the ceiling. He was treated by BCEHS paramedics and released at the scene.

Cause of the fire is considered accidental and is being investigated by Chilliwack Fire Department fire investigators.