26 people displaced in Sunday night fire at Langley apartment building

The Langley Fire Department is investigating after a fire broke out at an apartment building at a non-market housing complex Sunday night.

The department says no one was hurt, but 26 people have been displaced from the Kinsmen Garden Estate near 56th Avenue and the Langley Bypass. One person was reportedly taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Fire Chief Scott Kennedy says all people affected have been housed in nearby hotels for the night.

He says the unit where the fire started is uninhabitable, but his crews are still assessing the damage to determine when other residents will be allowed to return.

“That will be determined when we can get the power back on, the gas back on, and the water to that complex and, of course, the extent of the damage. So at this point, I’m not sure about the other seven units as to when people will be allowed back in them. I’m still waiting for that report,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy says he’s also waiting for a report on the investigation into the origin of the fire. At this point, he says, the department doesn’t deem the fire to be suspicious.

Kennedy added, “Considering the amount of fire that was presented to them when they arrived, and were able to knock down the fire as quickly as they could to keep it to one unit, that was very remarkable — wonderful.”