Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Chilliwack Assistant Fire Chief Krista Minar says three family pets are safe and accounted for after a shop caught fire on McSween Road Monday afternoon in Fairfield Island.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Pets rescued in Chilliwack fire

Firefighters rescue 2 family pets after shop catches fire in Chilliwack

Dec 3, 2024 | 10:36 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Assistant Fire Chief Krista Minar says three family pets are safe and accounted for after a shop caught fire on McSween Road Monday afternoon in Fairfield Island.

According to a statement from Assistant Fire Chief Minar, Chilliwack firefighters were dispatched for the report of a fire within a shop in the 10000 block of McSween Road just after 4 p.m. Monday. Responding firefighters observed a visible column of smoke emanating from the property. Firefighters from Halls 1 (Cheam Avenue), 2 (Rosedale), 4 (South Sumas) and 6 (Greendale) promptly arrived on scene and witnessed smoke and flames coming from a large shop. Firefighters worked quickly to establish a water supply and mounted what Minar calls an aggressive attack to minimize structural damage.

Minar says both occupants evacuated the building, but one person sustained minor injuries while rescuing one of the family’s three pets.

Chilliwack RCMP members attended to provide support, and BC Emergency Health Services provided care for the occupants. No injuries to firefighters were reported.

Chilliwack firefighters successfully rescued the two remaining family pets, both relatively unharmed. Minar says the pets were in a secure location behind a closed door, which helped protect them from smoke inhalation.

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“This incident underscores the importance and value of closed doors in reducing the threat of fire and smoke,” Minar said.

The Chilliwack Fire Department is currently investigating the cause of the fire.