Fourth Avenue is closed to traffic while crews work to put out the blaze.
Article content
Firefighters rescued residents from their balconies Friday afternoon as they battled a three-alarm apartment fire in New Westminster.
Article content
The fire broke out at about 1:30 p.m. at a building in the 900-block of Fourth Avenue, forcing officials to close down the road. As of 6:30 p.m., residents and commuters were still being asked asked to avoid Fourth between Eighth and Tenth Streets.
Article content
Article content
Story continues below
Article content
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Chief Erin Williams said firefighters were initially called out to a first-alarm fire but when they arrived the situation quickly escalated to a three-alarm blaze and Burnaby firefighters were called in to assist.
Article content
Sunrise
Article content
“On arrival, there were multiple suites fully involved in fire, with residents on balconies needing tactical rescue,” said Williams.
Article content
“So crews switched to rescue mode immediately, and then entered the interior to try and put water onto the fire. But the conditions inside had become so accelerated that they had to pull back and do a defensive attack.”
Article content
Williams said one resident and two firefighters were taken to hospital in stable condition.
Article content
New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone posted on Facebook, calling it a “significant structural fire” in the Brow of the Hill.
Article content
He said that fire crews had “successfully performed a couple of balcony rescues,” and were working on containing the fire’s spread through the structure.
Article content
Emergency Services were on site to support residents who have been displaced, he added.
Article content
Article content
