Image: GoFundMe, courtesy of Deanna Krop / Melissa and her daughter Lily were displaced by a structure fire on Young Road on Monday morning, July 24 in which 22 firefighters responded to the 9800 block of Young Road. Melissa's aunt, Deanna Kropp, has launched a GoFundMe to help the young single mother and her daughter who lost everything in the fire.
Young Road fire

Young Road fire in Chilliwack displaces single mom with young child

Jul 26, 2023 | 7:14 AM

CHILLIWACK — An electrical fire that caused significant damage to a suite at a home in the 9800 block of Young Road in Chilliwack has displaced a single mother and her young child.

According to a GoFundMe initiated by Deanna Kropp, Melissa and her daughter Lily suffered a devastating experience when her house caught fire and destroyed all their belongings.

“Unfortunately, they are left with nothing; losing everything from clothes to their precious possessions,” Kropp wrote in her GoFundMe appeal. “I am starting a GoFundMe to help my family try to get back on their feet and start over. They are in need of everything: clothing, food, toiletries, etc. For the next two days they are being put up in a hotel, however that, who knows?”

Kropp expressed thanks to the public for whatever they can do to assist the two.

“Melissa is a loving, caring, 22-year-old single mother of her 4-year old baby girl Lily,” Kropp wrote. “Please, if there is anything you can do to help, all is appreciated. Every little bit counts. I thank all who lend a helping hand. I’m forever grateful my niece and great niece are alive and safe now.”

According to a news release Monday evening from assistant fire chief Andy Brown, 22 firefighters from Halls 1, 2, 4 and 6 responded to the 9800 block of Young Road for the report of a structure fire at about 10:40 a.m. Monday (July 24).

On arrival, firefighters witnessed heavy fire and black smoke venting from a suite at the rear of the home, Brown said. Occupants were at home when the fire started and were able to evacuate the home along with several pets before fire crews arrived on scene.

Fire personnel called for a second alarm, Brown said, and quickly worked to perform an exterior attack on the fire, while securing a water supply to effectively control the fire, allowing fire crews to transition into an interior fire attack and building search.

“The quick actions of fire crews prevented the fire from spreading to the main area of the house, containing the fire to the suite of origin, which suffered major fire damage,” Brown said in a statement.

There were no firefighter or civilian injuries, but several people have been displaced from their homes, the Chilliwack Fire Department noted in its press release.

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