Probe points to discarded smoking materials as likely cause of B.C. apartment building fire

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Improperly discarded smoking materials likely played a part in a recent fire in an Abbotsford, B.C., apartment building that left more than 100 people homeless. Assistant chief Ron Hull, with Abbotsford Fire Rescue Services, says the extent of the damage means an investigation hasn’t pinpointed a cause of the blaze and it […]

By Jason Contant | February 24, 2021 | Last updated on October 2, 2024

1 min read

Common plastic white home smoke detector alarm, preventing an abnormal smoke in the room from perhaps a fire with a sound very loud. In the image, there is a big fire in the room and there is smoke that rises to the ceiling where is placed the equipement. This one is mounted on wooden ceiling. For example in France country, those smoke detector are required since march 2015. On the sensor is written that we should not paint it, and direction to open or close it, there is the test button because we need to check it regularly, and a red led indicating that the battery inside is always good.

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Improperly discarded smoking materials likely played a part in a recent fire in an Abbotsford, B.C., apartment building that left more than 100 people homeless.

Assistant chief Ron Hull, with Abbotsford Fire Rescue Services, says the extent of the damage means an investigation hasn’t pinpointed a cause of the blaze and it remains undetermined.

But Hull says the results “lean toward” smoking materials that weren’t properly discarded.

No one was hurt in the Feb. 14 fire, but several cats are missing and all 57 units in the Delair Court complex are destroyed or severely damaged.

Hull hasn’t said where the fire originated, but did say flames were rolling up the side of the building by the time crews arrived and swept along the roofline, pushed by high winds.

Most tenants lost everything and many did not have insurance, prompting more than two dozen online fundraisers collecting at least $25,000 for several homeless families. (CTV Vancouver)

Feature image via iStock.com/Gregory_DUBUS

Jason Contant

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