Image: Hailey VanBasten, used with permission /
Two-alarm blaze in Chilliwack

Update: Chilliwack Fire Dept. crews respond to basement fire at Lewis Avenue home

Aug 29, 2024 | 7:30 AM

UPDATE THURSDAY AT 10 A.M.: The Chilliwack Fire Department says 30 firefighters from Halls 1 (Cheam Ave.), 4 (South Sumas Road, 5 (Ryder Lake) and 6 (Greendale) responded to reports of a structure fire in the 45000 block of Lewis Avenue at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night. According to a statement from Assistant Fire Chief Wade Meeres, fire crews found heavy flames coming from the basement of a residential structure. Firefighters from Hall 2 and Hall 4 assisted in mitigating additional calls during this event. Firefighters worked to establish a water supply and quickly acted to contain the blaze, successfully preventing it from spreading beyond the single structure. After a thorough search, crews confirmed that all occupants had evacuated. In addition to the fire department, Hydro and RCMP were also present at the scene. There were no injuries to the public or firefighters. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The Chilliwack Fire Department says all residents should ensure they have working smoke alarms on each level of their home and in each sleeping area.

Original story from 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning:

CHILLIWACK — Over 25 firefighters from multiple fire halls were called to the 45900 block of Lewis Avenue shortly before midnight Wednesday night (Aug. 28) for a two-alarm blaze at a home.

According to scanner traffic and multiple witness descriptions, firefighters received the initial call at about 11:29 p.m. of a possible structure fire near Lewis and Cook Street, which was soon upgraded to a second alarm.

Multiple personnel attached to Engines 1, 1-2, 2, 4, 4-2, 5, and 6, along with Tower 1 and Air Support 6, were paged.

Heavy smoke billowed from the home throughout the neighbourhood, located about one kilometre north of downtown Chilliwack. The fire occurred at a single-family home.

At approximately 11:46 p.m., Chilliwack firefighters who were reporting from command advised dispatch they employed a defensive attack trying to knock down the fire.

Chilliwack RCMP vehicles impeded access from the road, as evidenced by pictures provided by Chilliwack resident Hailey VanBasten.

Image: Hailey VanBasten / A distant view of the structure fire.

One witness said everyone got out of the fire, though this has not been affirmed by Chilliwack Fire Department personnel. No news release was distributed to media as of 7:15 a.m. Thursday morning.

Chilliwack resident Julie Hiscock provided a picture to Fraser Valley Today Thursday morning showing boarded up windows on the front of the home, in the aftermath of the fire.

Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / A view of the Lewis Avenue home Thursday morning that was damaged by fire overnight.

The home appears to have sustained significant damage, though it’s not known if it will be need to be demolished.

Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / Another view of the damage at the Lewis Avenue home.

The home at 45903 Lewis Avenue is currently listed for sale with an asking price of $999,000.

“Development potential! Small Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH), which will permit up to 4 units on the lot (Contact City for further info),” an ad on Realtor.ca stated. “Assemble with the neighboring property, 45925 Lewis, may greatly increase the Designer’s imagination. Back and front neighbors both are townhouses. Good location. Short drive to Commercial center and the famous District 1881. With consisting management of the owners, the house is in very good condition.”
The home is assessed at $613,200, according to publicly available records on B.C. Assessment.