There were a number of early-morning fires reported in Chilliwack on Saturday, May 13, including two structure fires.
The most significant blaze was at a boarded-up house on Reece Avenue after 4 a.m., but calls started coming in hours earlier for other fires in the downtown area.
Around 2 a.m., crews from the Chilliwack Fire Department were called to a hedge fire in the 45000-block of Victoria Avenue. One engine responded from Hall 1 to extinguish the fire.
Fifteen minutes later, another hedge fire call came in, this one at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Robson Street.
“Neighbours extinguished the fire and one engine responded from Hall 1 to confirm the fire was extinguished,” assistant fire chief Andy Brown stated in a press release.
A house that was boarded-up and vacant went up in flames around 4:15 a.m. on Reece Avenue near Robson Street.
When crews arrived, there was heavy fire and black smoke venting from the house.
“The first arriving fire officer called for a second alarm and crews worked quickly to perform an exterior attack on the fire, while securing a water supply to bring the fire under control.”
A total of 31 firefighters from Halls 1, 4 and 6 responded.
The fire was reportedly out about half an hour later.
The building suffered major fire damage and an excavator was called in to demolish the structure.
It was the second fire at the house in less than seven months. It also caught fire on Oct. 25, 2022.
Shortly before the house fire on Reece Avenue, crews were called to a fire in the 7000-block of Maitland Avenue.
When crews arrived, they reported the fire had been extinguished by the occupants of the home.
“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.
“This fire appears to be accidental and caused by discarded smoking materials,” Brown said. “Chilliwack Fire Department wants to remind the public to ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished in an approved container.”
There were no civilian or firefighter injuries at any of the fires.
The Reece Avenue house fire is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department and RCMP fire investigators.
Residents in the downtown area also reported there was a hedge fire at Robson Street and Wellington Avenue which was put out by residents.
If anyone has any information about the 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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