Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / The Chilliwack Fire Department responded to a report of a fire on Vedder Road early Tuesday morning (Dec. 19), next to McDonald's. The building where the fire occurred has been under construction for at least 18 months and will feature housing for women and children. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Fire on Vedder Road early Tuesday

Chilliwack Fire Dept. called to suspicious fire at housing complex under construction on Vedder Rd. next to McDonald’s

Dec 19, 2023 | 8:23 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 4 a.m. Tuesday morning (Dec. 19) for the report of a structure fire on Vedder Road in Chilliwack, the site of a housing complex that has been under construction for over a year and a half.

According to scanner traffic overnight courtesy of Chilliwack resident Julie Hiscock, who monitors fire incidents overnight, firefighters from five different halls were dispatched to the building that seems to be nearing completion.

Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / A Chilliwack Fire Dept. engine is stationed on Vedder Road in Chilliwack after being dispatched at approximately 4 a.m. for the report of a structure fire, just north of the McDonald’s.

Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wilson wrote in a news release Tuesday morning (Dec. 19) that approximately 30 firefighters from Halls 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 responded to the scene and discovered black smoke venting from a multi-story residential building under construction. Firefighting crews quickly entered the building and discovered a fire on the ground floor, which was brought under control through an offensive attack by fire crews. While the building did sustain some fire, smoke and water damage, fire crews were able to successfully prevent extensive damage due to their swift actions, Wilson said.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported at this fire, and the fire is under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department officials and the RCMP. Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call the RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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Back in July 2022, the federal government announced it would invest $10 million to create an 18-unit housing complex dedicated to victims of gender-based violence on Vedder Road.

The City of Chilliwack will provide approximately $179,000 in municipal equity through off-site servicing upgrades.

The 18 affordable homes will feature four one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom homes, and two three-bedroom housing facilities. Rents will range from approximately $900 for smaller units up to $1,300 for larger units, which are below market.

Ahmed Hussen, the federal minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion, joined Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove and Wilma’s Transition House executive director Kathleen Mosa at the event.

“Everyone deserves a safe place they can turn to in difficult times,” Minister Hussen said. “Our Government is providing support to those who need it most here in Chilliwack and across B.C. Projects like this one by Wilma’s Transition Society, are helping women and children who are victims of gender-based violence with more than just providing safe and affordable places to live; they are providing a key to a better life for its residents. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”

Mayor Ken Popove thanked the federal and provincial government for their role in supplying desperately needed affordable housing in light of Chilliwack’s population growth.

“We are grateful for the work of the Government of Canada and the Government of BC in addressing urgent affordable housing needs in our community,” Mayor Popove said. “The City of Chilliwack is happy to support this project by waiving $132,660 under the Development Cost Charges Waiver for Eligible Developments Bylaw and that Council waived permit fees in the amount of $47,144 in accordance with Council Policy C-15, Supportive Housing Assistance. Providing affordable housing for women and children is an important part of helping to end the cycle of poverty and we know this development is a step in that direction.”

As of July 2022, Wilma’s Transition Society had been working with the city of Chilliwack and Canada Mortgage and Housing Commission for the past two years. The project broke ground in April 2022.

“We have seen such exciting growth within our community recently, however with that we have seen unprecedented times for so many through housing shortages and rising costs,” said Mosa. “Being able to aid women and their children through already challenging times is something we as an organization are honored to be able to provide, but to be able to soon offer long term, affordable housing, we are very grateful to be given this opportunity to further support our community. We are so thankful for our partnerships and the work of the Government of Canada through CMHC and the City of Chilliwack in being able to address the issues that these families face and bring this project to life.”

Mosa added that this long-term housing project will give families the ability to start over again once they are past transitional and second stage emergency housing to start their journey of independence and stability.

At the time of the groundbreaking event featuring Mayor Popove and Hussen, the complex had an estimated completion date of fall 2023.

The property on Vedder Road was purchased in 2020 for $2 million, according to records from B.C. Assessment.