Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / Engines 1 and 4 from the Chilliwack Fire Department were dispatched at about 2:15 a.m. Thursday morning for the report of a fire at the Island 22 homeless camp just south of Cartmell Road. Residents in the area described hearing two loud bangs followed by smaller bangs. There were no reported injuries associated with the fire. It is possible there were two RV trailers burned in the fire. Debris shown above appears to show the remains of one trailer, possibly two trailers that burned.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Island 22 homeless camp fire

Chilliwack Fire dispatched to Island 22 homeless trailer camp for reported fire

Jul 27, 2023 | 7:28 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Fire Department personnel were dispatched early Thursday morning (July 27) for the report of a fire that reportedly torched two RVs at the Island 22 homeless camp.

According to Chilliwack resident Julie Hiscock, who works graveyard shift and monitors overnight scanner traffic, Engines 1 (Cheam Avenue firehall) and 4 (South Sumas Road firehall) were dispatched to the Island 22 homeless encampment just south of Cartmell Road in Fairfield Island at about 2:15 a.m. early Thursday morning.

There were reports that two RV trailers had been burned. However, this has not been confirmed by the Chilliwack Fire Department. No news release had been issued by the Chilliwack Fire Department as of 7:22 a.m. Thursday morning.

Residents on the north side of Chilliwack said they heard two loud bangs coming from the homeless camp, followed by smaller sounds of bangs or explosions.

There were no reported injuries and occupants of the camp were able to escape from the fire.

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Debris shown in the pictures shared by Julie Hiscock appears to show the remains of one trailer, possibly two trailers that burned.

Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / Debris at Island 22 homeless camp.

The site where the fire occurred is an encampment occupied by approximately 25-30 residents with at least 30 trailers present.