Three families evacuated in blaze

By Dan Hilborn
Published May 7, 2006


Three families were forced out of their homes after a suspicious fire occurred in a house in the 8300 block of 15th Avenue just after 9 p.m. last Friday.

A total of nine people were dislocated by the fire, including one woman who was briefly admitted to hospital with minor burns, said Cindy Chang, the acting director of emergency social services in Burnaby.

The roof collapsed on the building, which contained several secondary suites, but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from leaping onto the neighbouring home, said Chief Barry Bate of the Burnaby Fire Department.

"This fire was serious enough that the adjacent house was in danger," he said. "When we arrived, there was fire showing from the rear and side windows, reaching up to the roof."

The two-alarm blaze attracted a small crowd of onlookers, and the Burnaby RCMP issued a public warning for drivers to avoid the area.

Chang said the city was able to provide the families with three nights' accommodation, food and replacement clothing. However, the two families who rented suites in the building had no insurance.

"I can't stress enough the importance of having insurance," said Chang, a city employee who helps coordinate the provincial emergency program. "We can only help in dire emergencies for the first 72 hours. After that, the help does expire and people are on their own.

"Insurance really doesn't cost a lot," she said. "For the price of a large pizza per month, people can be covered for the length of time that's needed. That is peace of mind."

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.