Image: Supplied by Mohit Bharadwaj / A small fire broke out Wednesday night (Dec. 28) near Mayor Ken Popove's retail tire shop, Ken's Tire and Wheel. Mayor Popove advised via phone that his business was not impacted, but a neighbouring, unattached business was impacted.
Ken's Tire and Wheel

Chilliwack RCMP, firefighters respond to fire near Ken’s Tire and Wheel Wednesday night

Dec 28, 2022 | 9:15 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Mounties and Chilliwack Fire Department personnel responded to a fire that erupted sometime Wednesday evening (Dec. 28) in close proximity to Mayor Ken Popove’s retail tire shop.

According to footage posted on social media by Mohit Bharadwaj, smoke could be seen billowing from an area close to Ken’s Tire and Wheel and Chilliwack Auto Glass (45769 Railway Avenue). The fire did not appear to spread to adjoining properties.

Multiple RCMP units responded to the scene as did a pair of fire engines from the Chilliwack Fire Department.

Image: Mohit Bharadwaj

Mayor Popove’s business, Ken’s Tire and Wheel, is located at 45798 Alexander Avenue.

When reached for comment Wednesday night at 9:02 p.m., Mayor Popove advised that his business was not impacted, and that the fire was closer to an unattached, neighbouring business. He did survey the scene in person after receiving a call about a fire near his business.

“A guy phoned me and said there was a fire,” said Popove, who is serving his second term as mayor of Chilliwack. “We’ll have to strategize where he parks his truck. Our building is OK.”