A Sunday morning fire at a three-storey apartment building at 37 Agnes Street in New Westminster, in the Vancouver area, forced every resident out and left 24 households unsure where they will live next. Fire crews were called at about 3:45 a.m. on October 11 and found a top-floor balcony burning, with flames already spreading inside.
All residents got out safely, though three people were taken to hospital in stable condition and several cats were still reported missing. The roof over the top floor collapsed, and the strata council president said the damage looked too extensive for a simple repair, warning a rebuild could take years.
Many of the residents are seniors on fixed incomes or people with mobility challenges who relied on the building’s relatively low rents and the community around them. Displaced residents were taken to a nearby aquatic and community centre, where provincial emergency support offered short-term help with hotel stays, food and clothing.
City officials said road closures around Royal Avenue have since lifted and that donations are not being collected at this time. The cause of the fire has not been announced.
