Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The City of Chilliwack is looking for contractors to clean up a Tyson Road home whose premises generated over 30 bylaw complaints in 2024, and where a fire recently occurred that left it uninhabitable.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Derelict home

City of Chilliwack seeks quotes from contractors to clean up derelict home

Jan 6, 2025 | 1:54 PM

CHILLIWACK — The City of Chilliwack is seeking quotes from contractors to clean up a home whose premises generated over 30 bylaw complaints in 2024, and where a fire recently occurred that left it uninhabitable.

According to an email from city spokesperson Jamie Leggatt, Chilliwack City Council issued an order of remedial action on November 19, 2024, in accordance with the Community Charter, for a home on Tyson Road. As per the council resolution, city staff are currently seeking quotes from contractors to begin cleanup efforts. Leggatt said a timeline for the cleanup work is currently not available.

A fire at this same Tyson Road home on Friday night, Dec. 27 left it uninhabitable. According to a statement from Assistant Fire Chief Krista Minar, Chilliwack firefighters responded to a blaze in the 5600 block of Tyson Road shortly after 8 p.m. They arrived on the scene to an active fire on the top floor of the residence. The severity of the situation prompted a second alarm, bringing crews from Halls 1, 3, 4, and 6 to the scene.

The Chilliwack Fire Department says bystanders acted quickly to alert officials to the fire which helped firefighters to quickly contain the flames and minimize structural damage. However, the house was significantly impacted. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among firefighters or the public.

The residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no smoke alarms were sounding. Fire Department officials say the blaze should serve as a reminder for residents to check the functionality of smoke alarms. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department.

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Fraser Valley Today drove by the home in question Monday afternoon and saw two pieces of plywood leaning against the exterior of the home, while one of the upstairs windows was missing altogether.

The City of Chilliwack wrote in a staff report that it received over 30 bylaw complaints since March 2024 about the derelict conditions of this home, as the city grappled with a public eyesore that was deemed hazardous and unsafe by fire officials. Municipal staff acknowledged in the report that the property owner at 5660 Tyson Road had not complied with numerous property deficiencies.

As Fraser Valley Today first reported in October 2024, visual blight at this home prompted city bylaw personnel, Chilliwack Fire Department and Chilliwack RCMP members to get involved in property inspections. City staff said in early October they were taking “all available steps to bring the property into compliance.”