Image: Desiree Skerratt / An overnight fire broke out on Wellington Avenue in Chilliwack.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Overnight fire

UPDATE: Water, smoke damage at downtown Chilliwack business, apartment unit on Wellington Ave.

Jul 9, 2025 | 7:57 AM

UPDATE, 12:15 P.M. WEDNESDAY: Chilliwack Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wilson says over a dozen firefighters were dispatched for an apartment structure fire in the 45000 block of Wellington Avenue at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, July 9.

Wilson says about 16 firefighters from Halls 1, 4 and 6 responded to the scene and witnessed a large presence of flames and smoke emanating from the roof of a two-storey mixed-used building.

Wilson says crews quickly knocked down the fire from the exterior through what he called “effective tactics” and a nearby water supply. An interior attack line was then advanced to the roof to complete the extinguishment of the fire.

Wilson says the fire produced water and smoke damage to the two living units and one commercial unit. All occupants were able to successfully exit the building after being alerted by the building’s automatic fire alarm system.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported at this fire, and the fire is under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department officials.

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Original story below from 7:57 a.m. Wednesday: 

CHILLIWACK — A Chilliwack resident says her home has been destroyed by an overnight fire, but all members of her family were able to get out safely.

Desiree Skerratt posted to Facebook Wednesday morning, July 9, at 5 a.m., that her house caught fire while family members were sleeping.

“So our house burned down while we were sleeping. Thankful everyone is ok… what a scary night it’s been,” Skerratt said on Facebook.

The house is located above a used book store on Wellington Avenue in Chilliwack. The smell of smoke was still evident at 7 a.m. when a Fraser Valley Today reporter drove through the area. Yellow caution tape was visible from the second story outdoor patio, and there were what appeared to be visible burn marks along the siding of the home facing the road.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The aftermath of the overnight fire on Wellington Avenue.

“What a terrible night,” Skerratt wrote on Facebook. “Glad everyone’s alive and we got out ok. Thanks for everyone who’s checked in on us. Trying to figure out the next steps here.”

Dominic Reichelt posted in the Chilliwack Beware! Facebook group at 2:53 a.m. about a fire near Five Corners.

“Fire near Five corners. Crew on site. Looked like an electrical fire on a rooftop,” Reichelt said.

This story will be updated when a statement is released from the Chilliwack Fire Department.