Image: Francis Ward / The extent of the fire damage at Chartwell Carrington House residence on the south side of 7th Avenue in Mission.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Structure fire in Mission

UPDATE: About 100 residents displaced after massive fire at Mission retirement home; no serious injuries reported

Mar 9, 2026 | 6:37 PM

UPDATE #7, 1:30 P.M. TUESDAY: The City of Mission has released a statement saying five engines, one ladder truck, one air unit, two staff units and four chief officers were dispatched for the massive structure fire at the Chartwell Carrington House. The statement says crews from all three Mission Fire Rescue stations were immediately dispatched.

First responders rushed into the building and assisted the elderly residents out of the building as flames spread quickly. Residents were evacuated onto the street, and a nearby church initially took some of them in, but the City of Mission and BC Emergency Support Services were quickly able to arrange space at the Mission Leisure Centre, and the Coast Mountain Bus Company provided transit buses to transport residents there.

Mutual Aid units from Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS) and North Fraser Fire Department also attended to support operations. “We appreciate their support,” the city said.

Upon arrival, the first engine reported heavy smoke and fire showing through the roof at the centre rear of the building. Chartwell staff were actively evacuating residents. Fire crews immediately prioritized search, rescue, and assisting residents in rooms closest to the fire, including those unable to evacuate independently.

As a precaution, the adjacent and attached Carrington Place (32679 6th Avenue) was also evacuated. At this time, it is not yet known when residents may be able to return.

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Hazardous interior conditions

Fire conditions progressed rapidly and the response was extremely hazardous. At one point, shortly after crews withdrew from a hallway, an HVAC unit collapsed into the area behind them.

Approximately two hours into the operation, crews located a resident alive on the third floor and rescued her. She sustained minor injuries and was treated for mild hypothermia. She was transferred to BC Emergency Health Services and transported to hospital.

Reception centre activated

Emergency Support Services (ESS) was activated to establish a reception centre at the Mission Leisure Centre, where evacuees were received and supported. Working with Fraser Health and Chartwell representatives.

Carrington residents have been temporarily relocated while the situation continues to be assessed. Some evacuees are staying with family members, while others have been accommodated at nearby Chartwell residences and local hotels.

No donations or volunteers are needed at this time. “We thank everyone for their compassion and concern,” the city said.

Ongoing operations and investigation

Crews remain on scene today addressing hotspots, particularly in areas where the roof has collapsed into the structure. A fire investigation will begin today and is expected to take multiple days. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The public is asked to avoid the area to allow emergency operations to continue safely.

UPDATE #6, 10:15 A.M. TUESDAY: Mission RCMP spokesperson Corporal Harrison Mohr says approximately 100 residents of the Chartwell Carrington House have been displaced after a large fire at their building Monday evening. He released the following statement:

“Mission Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), Mission RCMP, and BC Emergency Health Services (EHS) responded to the Chartwell Carrington House retirement residence on 7^th Avenue shortly before 6 pm on March 9, after a fire started in the building,” Cpl. Mohr said. “First responders rushed into the building and assisted the elderly residents out of the building as flames spread quickly.  Residents were evacuated onto the street, and a nearby church initially took some of them in, but the City of Mission and BC Emergency Support Services were quickly able to arrange space at the Mission Leisure Centre, and the Coast Mountain Bus Company provided transit buses to transport residents there.

“At the Leisure Centre, EHS provided assessments and medical care to anyone who needed it.  One resident was later found alive in a stairwell of Carrington House, and was treated for smoke inhalation. Fortunately, no serious injuries or fatalities were reported.”

“MFRS remains on scene today, and is in the process of putting out any hot spots and investigating the cause of the fire.  There is no indication of anything criminal at this time.”

“All evacuees who had been at the Mission Leisure Centre have since been picked up by family members, or relocated to nearby Chartwell residences and local hotels.  Any urgent enquiries related to those impacted by the fire at Chartwell Carrington House can be directed to CarringtonHouse@chartwell.com or to one of their staff members, at 604-826-4747. “

“The City of Mission would like to acknowledge the amazing community support offered by community residents, and can confirm that no assistance or donations are being requested at this time.”

UPDATE #5, 9:45 P.M. MONDAY NIGHT: Mission RCMP spokesperson Corporal Harrison Mohr released the following statement just minutes ago:

“Mission Fire and Rescue Service is still on scene at the Chartwell Carrington House retirement residence on 7th Avenue. Evacuated residents have been transported to the Mission Leisure Centre.  Fraser Health and BC Emergency Health Services (paramedics) are there, providing assessments and medical care to anyone who needs it.

There is sufficient food and other supplies there at this time, no donations are being requested. Families can attend the Leisure Centre (7^th Avenue and Grand Street) to pick up a loved one.  Please ensure you sign them out before leaving. 7^th Avenue between Cedar Street and Briskham Street may be closed for much of the night. Please use alternate routes. Further updates on the fire will be provided tomorrow.

UPDATE #4, 9:42 P.M. MONDAY NIGHT: St. Joseph’s Food Bank in Mission released the following statement tonight:

UPDATE #3: JC Liquidators Junk Removal & Moving Services says it was able to get a few residents out of the non-burning side of the Chartwell residence. “Very unfortunate in our community Chartwell has suffered a huge blow. We were able to get a few residents out of the non burning side. We have pizzas ordered in conjunction (with) Red Tomato Pies and Mission City Pizza. We have 10 boxes of tea from Tim Hortons on the way.”

UPDATE #2: Mission Fire Rescue Service says a reception centre has been established at the Mission Leisure Centre.

UPDATE 7:45 P.M.: Mission RCMP Corporal Harrison Mohr released the following statement at 7:40 p.m.:

“Residents of the retirement home are being transported by bus to the Mission Leisure Centre, at 7th Avenue and Grand Street. Family members coming to meet loved ones should attend the Leisure Centre, not the retirement residence. Emergency Support Services are on scene there to help evacuees.”

“Staff from the retirement residence are still in the process of trying to confirm whether everyone was safely evacuated. This process may take some time due to the ongoing process of transporting everyone to the Leisure Centre.”

“To be clear, this is the Chartwell Carrington House, on the south side of 7th Avenue (NOT the Chartwell Cedarbrooke retirement residence further west on 7th Avenue).”

“Additional updates will be provided as they become available. For the time being, please avoid the area, to allow first responders to continue their work, and to ensure any remaining evacuees are easily identified.”

Original story:

MISSION — Multiple firefighters and engines are battling a structure fire that broke out at Chartwell Carrington, a retirement home in Mission, Monday evening.

Mission Fire Rescue Service crews remain on scene as of 6:35 p.m. after a fire broke out at Chartwell Carrington on 7th Avenue.

Image: Francis Ward.

Huge columns of flames and smoke billowed from the multi-unit retirement home as of approximately 6 p.m.

Image: Francis Ward.

Firefighters radioed dispatch to say a search of the third floor was conducted and clear, and crews have been checking each floor to ensure no one is left inside the building.

Firefighters have warned each other on the scanner to watch out for parts of the building that could collapse. Some of the firefighters had been asked at one point to return to the staging area.

Multiple ambulances have been dispatched. RCMP are on scene likewise.

Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service has been reportedly paged for mutual aid.

One person reported on social media that all the residents are out in the parking lot with their walkers.

Social media users are saying 7th Avenue is closed at the Cedar Valley Connector in Mission.

People on Facebook are offering blankets and walkers to the seniors who will be displaced, judging by the pictures from Francis Ward that show a largely destroyed four-storey building.

The residents had been gathered across the street from Chartwell in the 7600 block of Eider Street, a side road off of 7th Ave.

Firefighters now say it’s all clear in Building 1 (7:07 p.m.).

North Fraser Fire has been asked to assist with mutual aid to help Mission Fire Rescue Service with core coverage. They are now en route as of 7:07 p.m. to assist with core coverage from the scene of the fire.

Mission fire crews have asked the Maple Ridge Fire & Rescue Services duty chief to be notified about this major four-storey fire.

An emergency centre is now being set up at a rec centre in Mission.

The Mission Salvation Army has been asked to attend and/or provide supplies for nourishment, as per a firefighter at 7:07 p.m.

Command at 6th Avenue say fire crews have checked multiple floors. A confinement crew continues to battle the blaze as of 7:15 p.m.

Firefighters told dispatch at 7:22 p.m. that nurses have dropped off three car loads of blankets.

Firefighters are working to contain a fire in a second building.