1 person dead after fire engulfs 3 houses in Coquitlam’s Maillardville neighbourhood

Coquitlam Fire and Rescue responded to fire in the Maillardville neighbourhood on Tuesday, July 7, 2006. The blaze killed one person and seriously damaged homes. (CTV News)

One person is dead in Coquitlam, B.C., after a fire engulfed three homes in the Maillardville neighbourhood.

Heavy smoke and flames could be seen rising from the trio of properties on the 700 block of Roderick Avenue when fire crews arrived shortly after 9:10 a.m., according to Coquitlam Fire and Rescue.

“Firefighters acted quickly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring homes,” Acting Fire Chief Chris Fox said in a statement.

As of noon, the fire was still burning under control, keeping 26 firefighters and several RCMP officers at the scene.

Mounties say a body was discovered in one of the homes after a witness flagged that a resident had been unaccounted for. The deceased has not been identified.

Paramedics also treated an 18-year-old at the scene, and took one RCMP officer to hospital for smoke inhalation, according to RCMP.

“Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic incident,” Sgt. Adriana O’Malley of Coquitlam RCMP said in a statement.

Officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and work is underway to support displaced residents.