One person was sent to hospital and several others are without homes after a fire Wednesday morning forced the evacuation of an apartment building on Adair Avenue in Maillardville.
Coquitlam Fire Chief Wade Pierlot told The Tri-City News the blaze originated in a bedroom in a unit on the third floor at around 9:30 a.m. and the building's sprinkler system extinguished the flames. One man was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation but was in good condition, he added.
The cause of the blaze is not yet known.
"It is still under investigation," Pierlot said. "The police are currently leading that with our fire investigators, so I can't really comment on that."
Most of the residents of the apartment building were allowed to return to their homes by 7 p.m. but people living in the unit where the fire started, as well as the two below it, were told to stay away for the time being. Pierlot said water from the sprinklers damaged the suites below.
Wednesday afternoon, the city of Coquitlam set up an emergency social services reception centre at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex, where evacuees were told to register.
The property management company for the apartment block, First Service, has been informing residents of the situation. Those not able to get updates can call 604-683-8900.
As well, the city is asking Adair residents who have insurance to contact their insurer as soon as possible.
Residents with specific needs or enquiries about their unit should contact Kevin Kim, the project manager for Phoenix Restoration Services, at 604-945-5371.
- with files from Janis Warren
