New Westminster apartment fire displaces 150 residents, donations pour in to help

A massive fire at 905 Fourth Avenue in New Westminster on July 10 gutted the apartment building and left approximately 150 people without homes. Two firefighters and one resident were hospitalized; the fire lasted more than 24 hours before crews brought it under control around 2:30 a.m. on July 11.

When firefighters arrived around 1:30 p.m. on July 10, residents were trapped on balconies. Crews used ladders to rescue several people from the engulfed building. The 42-unit structure suffered catastrophic damage, with vehicles crushed beneath debris and belongings scattered throughout the ruins.

Nebyou Getahun arrived home from vacation to find his corner unit completely destroyed. He and his family arrived in Canada three months ago from South Africa. Everything they owned was in the apartment, including his permanent residency papers and identification. "I feel bad because I've got two children, and I don't know what to do," he said while waiting at the fence around the property.

At Lord Kelvin Elementary School, donations have piled up on the gym floor — clothing for every season and age, shoes, diapers, hygiene supplies. About a dozen volunteers were sorting donations on Monday, with people continuing to arrive with more supplies. More than 100 people emailed offering to help within a day of the fire.

Mary Trentadue, who runs the New Westminster Neighbourhood House, coordinated the donation centre after a former member saw the fire on social media and offered assistance. The school board made the gym available by 1 p.m. on Saturday. However, displaced residents say what they actually need most is money to make immediate decisions about housing, food, and other necessities. The fire investigation is in preliminary stages and will take several weeks to complete.