More support needed for residents impacted by New West apartment fire
Posted November 10, 2026 8:01 am.
Residents who lost their homes in a devastating apartment fire at New Westminster’s Agnes Court last month are still trying to get back on their feet.
In a small apartment sparsely furnished with two armchairs and a cat tree, Angela Rondeau and her partner are starting from scratch after losing everything in the blaze.
“There’s still so much to buy,” Rondeau said.
“You don’t realize how much you’ve lost until everything’s gone.”
On Oct. 11, while families were preparing for Thanksgiving, a fire broke out on a third-floor balcony at the apartment building in downtown New Westminster. Around 50 tenants in the 24 units were displaced.
“We didn’t think it was going to be as serious as it was,” Rondeau said. “We figured a little fire on the balcony, the fire department would put it out.”
She made it out with just the clothes on her back and one of her cats. The second one, a black cat named Joey, survived in the apartment for 11 days before he was trapped by the Scent Rescue Team, a volunteer organization that uses scent-tracking dogs to find missing pets.
“It’s been quite hectic; you never think you’d be without a home,” Rondeau said.
“I had a lot of support from my classmates. I’ve only known them for just a month. They really showed up for me. Emotional support, monetary support. They brought food and essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, stuff you wouldn’t even think of.”
While she and other residents are anxious to get back into the building to salvage what’s left, the timeline remains unclear.
New West Neighbourhood House has been assisting with donation efforts for residents impacted by this fire and the Pinecrest Manor fire back in July.
“It’s been very difficult to get into the building; none of the residents are allowed at this time,” said Mary Trentadue, executive director of the non-profit organization.
“I think the reno crew is starting to go in and take a look, but I don’t expect the residents can go in any time soon.”
Trentadue says they raised quite a bit of funds for the Pinecrest Manor fire, but they haven’t seen a lot of community outreach for the Agnes Court blaze.
“The residents really need it,” she said.
“Gift cards and funds are the most helpful. New West is such an incredible city; it always comes out for people in need, and this is certainly a time when people need that.”
Anyone who wants to help can head to the New West Neighbourhood House website.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help the displaced residents.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
