Man critically injured, cat killed during fire at Burnaby, B.C., building

A truck from the Burnaby Fire Department is seen on May 26, 2025.

A man was critically injured and a cat was killed during a two-alarm fire at a Burnaby, B.C., residential building Monday afternoon.

The Burnaby Fire Department said the flames erupted at a multi-family complex near Norfolk Street and Esmond Avenue around 2:30 p.m.

“Crews were working in heavy, heavy fire conditions and they managed to rescue one male occupant,” said Deputy Fire Chief Ian Hetherington.

“They had to perform life-saving medical interventions with paramedics, and that patient was transported to Vancouver General Hospital in critical condition.”

No other residents or firefighters were injured.

Hetherington said the deceased cat was from the same unit, which sustained heavy fire damage.

While crews were able to prevent the flames from spreading to any neighbouring homes, there is “for sure” smoke and water damage to other parts of the building, the deputy chief said.

So far, it’s unclear how the fire started. Firefighters said they discovered the flames while responding to a smoke detector activation at the property.