Most residents allowed home after Port Coquitlam apartment fire
Posted June 19, 2024 7:48 am.
Last Updated June 19, 2024 7:08 pm.
It took almost 24 hours for crews to douse a fire at an apartment complex in Port Coquitlam. The city says the flames first broke out at 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday and the mayor says it wasn’t until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday that every hot spot was put out.
Mayor Brad West says 51 people have registered at the city’s emergency centre on Wilson Avenue, and that’s where they spent the night.
He explains the fire was tricky to fight because of its proximity to other buildings.
“It was an incredibly stubborn fire. I’m appreciative and thankful for the full and comprehensive response that Port Coquitlam firefighters mounted to both contain this fire and stop it from spreading, because it is in an area where there are a number of apartment buildings,” he said.
In total, West says four buildings were affected by the blaze — one by the fire and three others due to smoke damage.
“Crews will be assessing the building, determining the source of the fire. Trying to determine the cause, of course,” he told CityNews Wednesday morning.
Two people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. No other serious injuries were reported.
West doesn’t think the building where the fire originated had working sprinklers.
“This would not have been a sprinklered building, to my knowledge based on the age of the building. You’ll find tons of sprinklered buildings throughout the province. If buildings were built before building code provincial regulations and municipal regulations required sprinklers, then they won’t have sprinklers.”
He points to last year’s massive fire that destroyed Hazel Trembath Elementary — another building he says didn’t have sprinklers.
Port Coquitlam Fire Chief Blake Clarkson told CityNews Wednesday that the building affected by the fire has 30 units, while the other buildings on the property have had their electrical systems affected.
“[BC] Hydro and electrical contractors are on scene trying to establish when they can get those electrical systems up and running, which would activate their fire alarm systems, which would then allow [the residents] back into the building,” he explained.
Clarkson shared that he is extremely proud of his crews for knocking down the blaze Tuesday.
“We were also supported by Maple Ridge fire and Coquitlam fire — we much appreciate their assistance for helping us extinguish the fire,” he said.
Clarkson says fire investigation crews are working to determine the cause of the fire. Crews are still unable to get into the scene due to safety concerns, however, investigators do believe they have a general area of where it started.
“They do have a sort of an apartment of origin and they’re just working through trying to determine the cause,” he said.
The chief says the two people who were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation are recovering well.
Most residents allowed to return home: City of Port Coquitlam
In a post to social media Wednesday afternoon, the City of Port Coquitlam announced that most but not all residents have been allowed to return to their homes.
“Residents of the following buildings: 2440, 2438, 2436, 2434, 2432, and 2430 Wilson Avenue — BC Hydro has restored power to these buildings, and residents may now access their homes beginning at 4:30 p.m. Security guards are on site to assist with entry,” the city said.
“Residents from 2446, 2444, 2442 Wilson Avenue will continue to not have access to these buildings as they are still deemed unsafe.”
No timeline has been given for the access to the remaining apartments, but the city says the building’s restoration company will provide updates to the affected residents.
—With files from Cole Schisler and Charles Brockman
