Fire at New Westminster apartment building sends 3 to hospital, evacuates residents

A fire that started on a third-floor balcony at 37 Agnes Street in New Westminster spread into the building's interior early Sunday morning, forcing an evacuation and hospitalizing three residents with stable conditions.

BC Emergency Health Services received the first call around 3:30 a.m. Fire crews arrived by 3:45 a.m. Multiple fire crews responded, with Burnaby joining the effort. The fire escalated to a third alarm and impacted several suites on the third floor.

Fire Chief Erin Williams said that "crews reported heavy smoke and fire" and that "the fire had extended into the interior of the building and had impacted several suites on the third floor." All residents were evacuated, including several people with mobility challenges and a pet.

The city established an emergency reception centre at təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre on East 6th Avenue. Royal Avenue between Fourth Street and McBride Boulevard was closed in all directions.

Paramedics treated three patients, all of whom were transported to hospital in stable condition. No injuries have been reported beyond hospitalizations. Fire investigators will determine the cause once the fire is extinguished and the building is deemed safe to enter.

The evacuation comes roughly three months after a major fire in July that displaced residents from the neighbourhood.