Clean-up crews, fire officials, property owners and security guards were busy Tuesday morning at two commercial sites following massive industrial fires in Chilliwack Monday.
Firefighters were called in from every hall in Chilliwack for the first blaze which started around 3 p.m. yesterday on Industrial Way.
When firefighters arrived, they found a single-storey industrial complex fully charged with heavy black smoke venting from the roof. Crews immediately went into a defensive mode to fight the fire. The flames had moved into the entire roof system making is unsafe for an interior attack.
The two businesses, Arrow Transport and Fraser Valley Sandblasting, were completely destroyed in the fire.
One civilian was taken to the hospital for minor smoke inhalation. There were no firefighter injuries.
READ MORE: Chilliwack firefighters battle industrial fire
Lisa Axelson with the Chilliwack Fire Department walks through the aftermath of a fire on Aitken Road Tuesday morning as a security guard points out details to her. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
Aitken fire second blaze in less than six hours
The second fire ripped through a different building around 8 p.m. on Aitken Road.
When crews arrived they again found a single-storey industrial building with thick, black smoke billowing out of it. Flames were visible at the rear and into the roof of the building. Firefighters went into defensive mode to battle the blaze.
Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service was also called in for their ladder response to help fight the fire.
There are reports that the building was home to a grow-op, according to people on scene.
For both fires, BC Hydro and Fortis were called in to disconnect hydro and gas so an excavator could safely bring the buildings down.
The cause of both blazes appears to be accidental and are under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department.
Chilliwack Fire Department would like to thank Salvation Army for providing a hot meal at both structure fires.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Chilliwack firefighters tackle second large industrial fire in one day
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jenna.hauck@theprogress.com
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