Image: Supplied by social media / A vehicle exploded several times early Monday morning (Nov. 21) in a Watson Road townhouse complex, leading to a fire that severely burned a townhouse unit. The occupants of the home were transported to hospital, according to witness statements on social media and the Chilliwack Fire Dept.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack Fire

Chilliwack Fire Department investigating possible arson at Watson Road townhouse complex

Nov 21, 2022 | 6:50 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Fire Department responded to an early morning fire on Monday (Nov. 21) at a townhouse complex on the south side of Watson Road in Sardis near Watson Elementary.

According to witness pictures and accounts posted on Facebook early Monday morning, a vehicle caught fire, possibly due to arson, and exploded. The ensuing explosion wound up severely burning a townhouse unit in the Watson Road housing complex.

One witness who posted on social media said a vehicle exploded about four times in front of him and caught fire. The affected townhouse unit was severely damaged and the occupants inside the unit were transported to hospital with smoke inhalation. The unit suffered extensive fire damage.

The Chilliwack Fire Department issued a press release this morning advising that residents in the 45000 block of Watson Road were awakened to the sounds of a vehicle fire at the townhouse complex and quickly called 911.

Eighteen firefighters responded from Halls 1 and 4. On arrival, fire crews confirmed that there was a working vehicle fire in an open parking lot within a 3-storey multi-tenant residential townhouse complex. The fire from the vehicle extended to the exterior of a townhouse unit. Crews quickly establishing a water supply, while residents in the complex were trying to fight the fire with garden hoses.

Second Stabbing Incident

UPDATE: 4 arrested after youth stabbing incident in Langley Friday afternoon

14h ago

Targeted Incident

1 arrested after stabbing in Langley Thursday afternoon

15h ago

14 assessed by paramedics after 'hazmat incident' at Chilliwack, B.C., park

15h ago

According to the news release, as fire crews were working to extinguish the fire on the exterior, occupants were still inside the townhouse unit, another team of firefighters quickly entered the unit and assisted with evacuation. The occupants did sustain smoke inhalation and were transported to Chilliwack General Hospital by B.C. Ambulance Service for further observation.

There were no firefighter injuries and occupants in the townhouse complex were allowed to go back into their units shortly after the fire was extinguished.

This fire appears deliberately set and is under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Click here to report an error or typo in this article

Join Our Daily Email

Chilliwack Fire Department investigating possible arson at Watson Road townhouse complex

More Local News