Chilliwack - Early Morning Fire Destroys House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2023

Early Morning Fire Destroys House

At approximately 04:45 hours the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported residential structure fire located in the 45000 block of Victoria Ave.

30 firefighters responded from Halls 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, and on arrival, reported seeing heavy fire and black smoke venting from the home. Occupants were at home and asleep at the time the fire started, and were awakened by the smell of smoke. Fortunately, all occupants were able to evacuate the home prior to the arrival of fire crews.

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, enabling fire crews to rescue several family pets.

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 received minor injuries escaping the fire, and several family pets perished in the fire. There were no 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