Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / The Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to this home on Charles Street in Chilliwack early Wednesday morning, July 12 after receiving a report of a structure fire. Approximately 24 firefighters from Halls 1, 2 and 4 were deployed; on arrival, they reported seeing visible smoke and flames inside the end unit of a four-unit townhouse complex. According to a press release from Andy Brown, assistant fire chief of training and operations for the Chilliwack Fire Department, initial arriving crews called for a second alarm and began an offensive fire attack while securing a water supply to bring the fire under control. There were no firefighter injuries.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Structure fire on Charles Street

Unattended cooking suspected in fire at Charles St. home in Chilliwack

Jul 12, 2023 | 11:21 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Fire Department says unattended cooking remains the leading cause of kitchen fires, and it’s believed to have led to a structure fire early Wednesday morning on Charles Street in Chilliwack.

Approximately 24 firefighters from Halls 1, 2 and 4 were dispatched to the 9000 block of Charles Street Wednesday morning, July 12 at about 12:50 a.m. after receiving a call involving a structure fire.

The 9000 block of Charles Street is east of Young Road, northeast of Valley Toyota and ICBC, but directly south of the railroad tracks.

Image: Google Maps / The red pin indicates the location of the residential fire that happened Wednesday morning, July 12 at about 12:50 a.m. in the 9000 block of Charles Street.

On arrival, firefighters reported seeing visible smoke and flames in the end unit of a four-unit townhouse complex. According to a press release from Andy Brown, assistant fire chief of training and operations for the Chilliwack Fire Department, initial arriving crews called for a second alarm and began an offensive fire attack while securing a water supply to bring the fire under control.

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Brown said that responding firefighters effectively contained and extinguished the fire, confining it to the unit of origin, which suffered significant fire and water damage in the interior.

Three occupants were home at the time of the fire, which is believed to have been caused by unattended cooking, and there were no working smoke alarms at the time of the fire. All three occupants managed to exit the home with no injuries.

There were no firefighter injuries. This fire appears to be accidental, Brown said.

The Chilliwack Fire Department wants to remind the public that the leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It says working smoke alarms save lives, cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half, while reminding the public that smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in every home in Chilliwack.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Unattended cooking suspected in fire at Charles St. home in Chilliwack

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