Firefighters tackled yet another vacant house fire in Chilliwack late Sunday.
The Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported residential structure fire at approximately 11 p.m. in the 45000-block of Rowat Avenue.
Firefighters responded from three halls and, on arrival, reported seeing heavy fire and black smoke venting from the rear of the structure.
The small single-family house was vacant at the time of the fire, with a family recently moving out, according to a neighbour.
Due to the conditions, firefighters set up a defensive fire attack and brought it under control. The home suffered major fire and smoke damage to the interior and exterior of the structure.
There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.
“Chilliwack Fire Department would like to remind owners of vacant homes that they face an increased risk when it comes to property damage which includes vandalism, theft and or fire damage. A fire within a vacant home also increases the risk to firefighter safety,” a fire department press release stated.
The house is near the dead-end portion of the street and backs on to the CN Rail line, which can be a source of problems from squatters according to a neighbour.
There have been several vacant house fires this year in the city.
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This fire is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department.
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.
@PeeJayAitch
paul.henderson@theprogress.com
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