Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

By Mike Vanden Bosch

House fire

Fire at Sardis home displaces family of 7, claims life of pregnant kitten

Nov 20, 2025 | 1:29 PM

UPDATE 6:35 P.M.: Cass Saunders tells Fraser Valley Today the family is now officially displaced. “She just found out she won’t be able to return. The landlord just told them the repairs are going to take around six months, so they have to go pack up what they can and look for a new place,” Saunders said.

Original story below: 

CHILLIWACK — A Chilliwack resident has started an online fundraiser to help a family friend who lost their kitten in a fire and whose home was heavily damaged Wednesday morning.

Fire crews were paged at about 5:15 a.m. for a reported structure fire in the 45000 block of South Sumas Road Wednesday morning. Roughly 20 firefighters from Halls 1 and 4 responded to the area and witnessed heavy fire and smoke emanating from the garage area of the residence. Crews quickly secured a water supply and utilized hose streams from the exterior and interior of the garage. Firefighters subsequently completed ventilation procedures to reduce smoke, fire and water damage.

On top of possibly being displaced from the home, Cass Saunders tells Fraser Valley Today the fire caused the death of a pregnant kitten.

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While the family and their children were able to get out, Saunders says the family isn’t sure if they’ll be able to return at all.

“I’m hoping to raise funds for a currently displaced family of seven,” Saunders wrote in her GoFundMe. “Unfortunately there’s gonna be smoke and water damage to the home, and currently they aren’t sure if they will be able to return at all. I’m asking for help to raise some money for them as they’re going to need some basics for their children ranging from a couple months to 6 years old as well as possibly finding a new home.”

A post-fire check was being conducted Thursday afternoon at the home. The garage is currently boarded up by plywood.

“With the Holiday season being so close, I’m really hoping we can help them out after such a scary experience! Thank you everyone in advance!” Saunders wrote in her GoFundMe.