One person has died after an apartment fire in White Rock Saturday (Feb. 10).
Fire crews from both White Rock and Surrey responded to the blaze, which was called in to 911 around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, in the 15300-block of Thrift Avenue.
“Upon our arrival, the suite of origin had self-vented on the third floor, so there was flames coming out of the third floor and licking over the roof,” White Rock Fire Chief Ed Wolfe said Sunday (Feb. 11).
The female tenant of that suite has since, sadly, succumbed to her injuries, Wolfe confirmed Monday (Feb. 12).
Another resident who was trapped on their balcony in the neighbouring unit was successfully rescued, he said.
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The 27-unit building’s tenants were all displaced, as the power and gas had to be shut off in order to fight the fire.
Wolfe said it’s still not clear when the building’s tenants might be able to return, but noted 10 families are staying at a local hotel, through funding provided by the province, with other residents sheltering with friends or family members.
He gave kudos to the 33 firefighters who attended the “aggressive” blaze.
“The crews from both Surrey and White Rock did an unbelievable job of stopping the fire in its tracks.”
The cause of the fire is undetermined.