Image: Lin Moore Neumann / A barn fire erupted near Chilliwack River Road and Bailey Road Tuesday morning.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Explosions heard

UPDATE: Chilliwack Fire Chief says chicken barn destroyed, fire appears accidental

Nov 25, 2025 | 10:59 AM

UPDATE, 2:10 P.M. TUESDAY: Chilliwack Fire Chief Andrew Brown says today’s fire that destroyed an operational chicken barn appears accidental in nature. There were 8,200 birds in the barn at the time of the fire.

According to a statement, Fire Chief Brown says crews were called to the 6000 block of Chilliwack River Road at about 10:20 a.m. this morning. While en route, firefighters observed black columns of smoke and upgraded the call to a second alarm. Crews responded from four of the six halls.

On arrival, fire crews confirmed there was a “deep seated” heavily involved working structure within an operational chicken barn. Fire crews worked diligently and swiftly to perform an exterior defensive attack while securing a water supply to contain the fire. Hose streams were also deployed to protect adjacent structures, limiting the damage to the barn initially involved, which was completely destroyed by the fire.

As of this afternoon, fire crews remain on scene to perform overhaul operations and an excavator has been called in to assist with overhaul operations.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department and appears to be accidental. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries, Chief Brown said.

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Original story: 

Large flames and thick black smoke rose into the air as a barn fire raged out of control Tuesday (Nov. 25) morning in Sardis.

Members of the Chilliwack Fire Department were called to the scene around 10:20 a.m. RCMP are assisting fire crews by blocking northbound traffic along Chilliwack River Road at Bailey Road.

Image: A barn fire in Sardis Tuesday morning (Nov. 25/25) produced large flames and heavy smoke in the area. / M. Vanden Bosch , PML

Multiple explosions have been heard in the area and the roof of the barn has collapsed. Fire crews called for earth moving equipment and as part of defensive measures in an attempt to prevent the spread of the fire.

There is no word on how the fire was ignited or if anyone has been injured.

As of 11:39 a.m., several engines have cleared from the scene to attend to other matters. Ladder 4 is clear of the scene at 11:44 a.m.

Engine 1, which was the commanding unit for this Chilliwack River Road incident, has transferred command to Engine 6 (Greendale) at 11:47 a.m.