Police, fire converge on homeless encampment near Vedder River bridge

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Mounties and the Chilliwack Fire Department were dispatched Monday, January 2 to the Sweltzer Creek homeless encampment, just east of the Vedder River Bridge, for a report of an altercation and a tent on fire.

According to Jamie Leggatt, director of communications for the City of Chilliwack, the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to the scene for a reported tent fire. She said an abandoned tent was lit on fire as the result of an altercation. Chilliwack Fire Engine No. 4 arrived on scene alongside Mounties, but the fire was already extinguished prior to arrival. Firefighters confirmed the fire was already out and had left the scene, but the RCMP remained on scene to complete a follow-up, Leggatt said.

Sgt. Krista Vrolyk of the Chilliwack RCMP advised Tuesday morning that Chilliwack Mounties were dispatched for assistance on Monday afternoon, Jan. 2, under Chilliwack RCMP file 2023-196.

“At approximately 2:30 p.m. on January 2, Chilliwack RCMP received a request to assist the Chilliwack Fire Department with a report of a fire and a possible fight between individuals at a homeless encampment near the Vedder River bridge,” Sgt. Vrolyk reported. “Police and Fire attended and did not observe any signs of a fire or any individuals fighting.”