Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Chilliwack Fire Department crews were called to the report of a living room on fire at this home on Woodbine Street Tuesday night at about 10 p.m. There's plywood covering up some of the damage at the home. Chilliwack Fire Department believes the fire started from an unattended candle. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Unattended candle leads to fire

Unattended candle leads to fire at Chilliwack home Tuesday night

Jul 3, 2024 | 10:40 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Fire Department says an unattended candle resulted in a living room fire at a home in the 9400 block of Woodbine Street, east of downtown Chilliwack, Tuesday night.

According to a statement from Chilliwack Fire Chief Andrew Brown, multiple Chilliwack Fire Department engines were dispatched for the report of a structure fire at about 10 p.m. Tuesday night (July 2). Fire dispatch told initial responding crews that they had received multiple calls for a living room on fire, which prompted the initial responding officr to activate a second alarm. Firefighters were dispatched from Halls 1 (Cheam Avenue), 2 (Rosedale), 4 (South Sumas), 5 (Ryder Lake) and 6 (Greendale).

Upon arrival, crews reported the fire had been knocked down by neighbours using a portable fire extinguisher. Fire crews overhauled the home to ensure the fire was extinguished. The home suffered minor smoke and fire damage, displacing the occupants for the evening. The fire is believed to have been accidently caused by an unattended candle, Chief Brown said. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.

“Chilliwack Fire Dept. wants to remind the public to keep burning candles at least 12 inches (30cm) from anything that can burn and to never leave a burning candle unattended,” Chilliwack Fire wrote in its statement. “Chilliwack Fire Department highly recommends the use of battery-operated flameless candles, which can look and feel like real candles.”