Crews battle major apartment fire in New Westminster, Fourth Avenue closed
A three-alarm fire erupted Friday afternoon at a 900-block building, forcing multiple balcony rescues. Two firefighters and one resident were hospitalized.
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Fire crews responded to a major three-alarm apartment fire on Friday, July 10, around 1:30 p.m. at a building on the 900 block of Fourth Avenue in New Westminster, forcing Fourth Avenue to close between Eighth and Tenth Streets.
When New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) crews arrived on scene, multiple units were already on fire with residents stranded on their balconies. Firefighters performed several balcony rescues using ground ladders while crews attacked the blaze from inside the building and helped residents evacuate.
"NWFRS crews did a phenomenal job under extreme fire conditions," said Chief Erin Williams. The fire was upgraded to a third alarm, and mutual aid arrived from Burnaby Fire. Eight apparatus responded to the scene, including two aerial trucks.
BC Emergency Health Services transported two firefighters and one resident to hospital. By 11 p.m. Friday, July 10, crews remained actively engaged in direct attack against the blaze as smoke continued to billow through the neighbourhood. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Fire officials warned residents to avoid the area due to the threat of toxic smoke inhalation and other dangers. A GoFundMe fundraiser was started by someone claiming to live across the street, noting the building appears lost and 50 units have been affected, displacing residents from their homes.
