Dozens displaced after apartment fire in Richmond, B.C.

Dozens of residents have been displaced after a devastating apartment fire in Richmond’s Steveston neighbourhood.

An investigation is underway after a fire tore through the upper floor of an apartment building in Richmond, B.C., on Tuesday night, forcing dozens of residents from their homes and prompting a massive response from firefighters.

The blaze broke out around 7:45 p.m. at a building near Seventh Avenue and Broadway Street in the Steveston neighbourhood, leaving at least two people injured.

Richmond Fire Chief Jim Wishlove said crews found flames coming from a third-floor unit.

“Emergency crews were dispatched to this location on Seventh Avenue in Steveston for the report of a structure fire in the building that’s behind us,” Wishlove said.

“First arriving crews recognized a fire on the third floor in a suite and immediately started attacking the fire.”

He added that crews worked quickly to evacuate the building.

“All of the residents have been evacuated and are currently being accounted for, and they’re being marshaled at a reception center locally in Steveston here and registered as evacuees. Right now, we have no reports of any injuries to occupants or to any of our staff, which is really good news,” he said.

Wishlove said the fire damaged approximately 18 suites, noting that residents from those units will not be able to return immediately.

The complex is home to about 100 units separated into three buildings.

“There are approximately 18 suites that are affected by either the fire, smoke or water damage,” Wishlove said. “Obviously, those suites will not be able to be occupied tonight and will house those people through our Emergency Support Services Program.”

Nearly every Richmond fire crew responded, with Vancouver Fire Rescue backfilling city stations to maintain emergency coverage.

Brian Twaites, a paramedic spokesperson for B.C. Emergency Health Services, says three ambulances and one paramedic specialist unit responded to the scene.

“Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to two patients who were transported to hospital in stable condition,” Twaites said in an emailed statement.

A happy reunion

Among those returning to the building after the flames were extinguished was Chris Mavis, who went inside to look for his mother’s missing cat.

“This is Prince Harry. So there’s my mom’s cat. Had to kind of sneak in there to get him out,” he said.

His mother lives on the second floor. He said the family feared the worst when they learned about the fire.

“My daughter, we were here last night and she was crying, but we’re happy now,” he said, holding the cat.

Mavis said he has taken both his mother and her pet to stay with him for the time being.

“It’s going to be an interesting next little while,” he said.

Mavis said he is grateful his mother was not home when the fire broke out.

“My mom’s 84. She’s an elderly lady with early onset dementia. So luckily, last night, her friend had taken her out to the theatre,” he said.

Mavis described seeing flames from outside and was surprised the unit — and the cat — survived.

“I could see the flames coming up on the third floor. I think it kind of wrapped around and slowly moved its way around there, putting lots of water on it,” he said.

“I’m surprised this cat still there,” he said. “He was hiding. I don’t even know where, but it took me a while to find him.”

Fire investigators have not yet determined what sparked the blaze. Wishlove said the investigation is expected to continue Wednesday.