Firefighters called to massive structure fire at retirement home in Mission

“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.

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

Image: Francis Ward.

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. However, this has not been confirmed by authorities.

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

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church nearby has been referenced as a potential place of refuge.

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.

Another person on Facebook reported that the Chartwell residents are at Eider and the first side road off 7th Avenue.

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.

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

Firefighters are alluding to an air unit that could land at the Mission Raceway at approximately 7:40 p.m.

Fraser Valley Today has reached out to the Mission RCMP detachment for more information on the structure fire.

More to come.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Firefighters called to massive structure fire at retirement home in Mission

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