Some residents of a Port Coquitlam apartment complex on Wilson Avenue impacted by a fire Tuesday, June 18, could be back in their homes as soon as this afternoon.
But those living in the 30 units in the building at 2442, 2444 and 2446 Wilson Ave. where the fire actually occurred have a lot longer wait ahead of them.
PoCo Fire Chief Blake Clarkson said his department first got the call about the fire in one of six three-storey wood frame buildings that comprise the complex at 11:30 a.m.
He said the fire was on the top floor and had extended into the building’s attic.
Clarkson said firefighters’ efforts were complicated by the aging structure’s lack of a sprinkler system and a heavy roof membrane that made it difficult to get water on the flames.
“Those are always tricky,” he said. “You just have to be patient and make sure nobody gets hurt.”
Clarkson said at the height of crews’ efforts to douse the fire, every available firefighter and apparatus in the city was on hand, along with 13 firefighters and one truck from Coquitlam and another five firefighters and one truck from Maple Ridge.
Crews were finally able to declare the fire extinguished at 3:30 this morning.
Clarkson said while only one building was directly impacted by the fire, residents of the other five buildings in the complex were also displaced because of damage to their shared electrical system as well as heavy smoke in the area. He said BC Hydro has located the junction box and should have the necessary repairs completed so they could return to their homes later today.
The city provided temporary shelter and support services at the nearby Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC).
Clarkson said of the 113 residents who checked in, 43 spent the night while alternative accommodation was found for another 70. He said efforts will continue through the morning to clean up the site and reunite residents with their pets.
Clarkson said two people who were treated for smoke inhalation are expected to fully recover. He added fire investigators are on the scene to determine where the fire started and what may have caused it.
A briefing to update displace residents is occurring this morning at the PCCC.
