Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / Multiple units from the Chilliwack Fire Department were dispatched for the report of a fire outside a church on the north side of Chilliwack. According to a recording shared with Fraser Valley Today by Chilliwack resident Julie Hiscock, Engine 1, 4, 4-2, Tower 1 and the Chilliwack duty chief were dispatched at 3:37 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 24) for the report of a structure fire involving a door, later revised to a garbage can, on fire outside the Chilliwack Chinese Alliance Church at 9210 Williams Street.
Chilliwack Fire Department

Chilliwack Fire Dept. responds to overnight fire outside ethnic church

Oct 24, 2023 | 3:07 PM

CHILLIWACK — Multiple units from the Chilliwack Fire Department were dispatched for the report of a fire outside a church on the north side of Chilliwack.

According to a recording shared with Fraser Valley Today by Chilliwack resident Julie Hiscock, Engine 1, 4, 4-2, Tower 1 and the Chilliwack duty chief were dispatched at 3:37 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 24) for the report of a structure fire involving a door, later revised to a garbage can, on fire outside the Chilliwack Chinese Alliance Church at 9210 Williams Street.

Personnel from Fire Hall No. 1 on Cheam Avenue immediately acknowledged the page at 3:37 a.m.

At approximately 3:43 a.m., Engine 1 notified dispatch it had located a fire at the front door to the church.

At 3:46 a.m., other units were advised to remain at the hall.

At 4:15 a.m., firefighters notified dispatch to confirm that the fire did not spread to the inside of the church. Engine 1 subsequently cleared from the scene.

An image shared by Hiscock shows the front and lower left section of the church’s front door charred and burned.

Homeless, unhoused people repeatedly congregate in front of this church as it offers a covered space from the elements at the northeast corner of the intersection of First Avenue and Williams Street. It is not known if these individuals were responsible for the suspicious fire overnight.