Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / With a Chilliwack Fire Department engine nearby, a Chilliwack RCMP unit blocks access to McGuire Road in the aftermath of a structure fire at a vacant home on McGuire Road in Chilliwack. Thirty-two firefighters from five different halls were paged at approximately 4:30 a.m. early Thursday morning. 
Fire at vacant home in Chilliwack

Fire destroys vacant McGuire Road home

Oct 31, 2024 | 6:50 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Fire Chief Andrew Brown says 32 firefighters from five different halls were paged Thursday morning (Oct. 31) at 4:30 a.m. for a fire at a vacant home in the 47000 block of McGuire Road.

In a news release sent at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, Chief Brown says responding firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames venting from multiple areas of the structure. The building was vacant at the time of the fire.

Initial arriving crews quickly initiated a defensive fire attack while securing a water supply to bring the fire under control. Firefighters effectively extinguished the fire, limiting fire and smoke damage to the building of origin. The building, however, suffered extensive fire and smoke damage.

Firefighters reportedly requested an excavator to demolish the home in question, according to scanner traffic.

A Chilliwack RCMP SUV cruiser blocked access from McGuire Road, at the intersection with Prest Road, Thursday morning.

FortisBC was asked to attend as well by firefighters. They arrived on scene at approximately 8:35 a.m.

Air Support 4 unit told dispatch at 6:41 a.m. they were cleared from the scene. Tender 1 notified dispatch at 6:45 a.m. they were clear as well. Ladder 4 was cleared by command at 6:49 a.m.

This fire is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department and RCMP.

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