A fire Sunday that caused extensive damage to a downtown Chilliwack apartment is being blamed on smoking materials.
On Feb. 18 at approximately 10:30 a.m. the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire located at 46036 Princess Ave.
Occupants saw flames lapping up the exterior of the building from a ground floor balcony and called the fire department.
Firefighters responded from Halls 1, 4, and 6, and on arrival, reported seeing heavy black smoke and flames venting from the balcony of a main floor apartment. Occupants were home at the time of the fire and closed the balcony door to the suite, activated the building fire alarm system, and evacuated the building, according to the Chilliwack Fire Department.
Fire crews setup an offensive attack and quickly brought the fire under control.
The apartment involved suffered extensive damage to the exterior of the structure. Closing the balcony door to the suite was instrumental in preventing fire from spreading to the interior of the structure.
There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.
The fire department says the blaze appears to be accidental and caused by discarded smoking materials.
The Chilliwack Fire Deptartment reminds the public to ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished in an approved container.
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