One resident, two firefighters injured in apartment fire in New Westminster
Fourth Avenue is closed to traffic while crews work to put out the blaze.
Last updated 1 day ago
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Firefighters rescued residents from their balconies Friday afternoon as they battled a three-alarm apartment fire in New Westminster.
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The fire broke out at about 1:30 p.m. at Pinecrest Manor in the 900-block of Fourth Avenue, forcing officials to close down the road.
As of Saturday morning, fire crews were still trying to put out the blaze and residents and commuters were still being asked asked to avoid Fourth between Eighth and Tenth Streets. Dozens of residents remained displaced and the building was left in charred ruins.
The fire also damaged an adjacent low-rise apartment building.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Chief Erin Williams said firefighters were initially called out to a first-alarm fire, but when they arrived the situation quickly escalated to a three-alarm blaze and Burnaby firefighters were called in to assist.
“On arrival, there were multiple suites fully involved in fire, with residents on balconies needing tactical rescue,” said Williams.
“So crews switched to rescue mode immediately, and then entered the interior to try and put water onto the fire. But the conditions inside had become so accelerated that they had to pull back and do a defensive attack.”
Williams said one resident and two New Westminster firefighters were taken to hospital in stable condition.
Williams said the fire was still actively burning into Friday evening.
“We are basically putting water on it from all sides to try and protect exposures and to hopefully cool it down.”
He didn’t know how many residents were rescued from balconies but said they were in multiple units. One resident was injured in the rescue and taken to hospital.
He said firefighters have done “a phenomenal job under extreme fire conditions.”
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Fire investigators are still trying to determine a cause and will know more once it is safe to enter the building.
B.C. Emergency Health Services said paramedics received a call at 1:40 p.m. about a structure fire in the 900-block of 4th Avenue in New Westminster.
Several ambulances with primary care paramedics, an ambulance with advanced care paramedics, and two paramedic supervisors responded.
Paramedics provided emergency medical care to four patients. Three patients were transported to hospital, while one patient did not require transport.
Two ambulances and a paramedic supervisor remain at the apartment building, a BCEHS spokesperson said in an email.
Dozens of residents have been displaced by the fire. Isabella Wang, who lives across the street and said she has a friend in Pinecrest Manor, has started a GoFundMe campaign to help the displaced residents.
“This is a very difficult and emotional day for many families. It looks like the building is lost,” Wang wrote.
“Along with it, a sanctuary, a home, cherished belongings, medications and necessities, memories, and lives built for the residents in 50 units.”
Wang said families have been directed to Century House, where they will be given some vouchers and emergency housing for two days.
“We don’t know what the story of each of the residents in 50 units are, but we can only imagine how difficult things are.”
New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone posted on Facebook, calling it a “significant structural fire” in the Brow of the Hill.
He said that fire crews had “successfully performed a couple of balcony rescues,” and were working on containing the fire’s spread through the structure.
Emergency Services were on site to support residents who have been displaced, he added.
With files from Jason Payne
