One person is dead after a fire broke out in an upper level unit of an apartment in the 3600-block of Fourth Avenue in Port Alberni around 11 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Firefighters from Port Alberni, Beaver Creek, Cherry Creek and Sproat Lake fire departments were still battling the blaze after midnight. The fire left an unknown number of people displaced. A group of more than a dozen derelict trailers in a lot beside the apartment were also evacuated.
The identity of the individual is not being released pending further investigation.
Emergency Social Services were on scene before midnight, trying to find accommodation for some of the people living in the apartment and trailers. Outreach workers and RCMP members familiar with residents who live in the apartment and trailers were canvassing the neighbourhoods to account for people.
Caden Thingvold and Jonah Clark had been playing some nighttime disc golf at one of the Dry Creek Park holes under a streetlight on Fourth Avenue when they heard screams coming from down the block.
B次元官网网址淲e heard a couple of screams and knew something was offB次元官网网址e looked and it just lit up,B次元官网网址� Thingvold said. B次元官网网址淲e heard screaming at 11 p.m.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e started walking over (to the building) while we were calling 911,B次元官网网址� Clark said.
B次元官网网址淲e heard people yelling, B次元官网网址榬espond, respond! We have to get out of here,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Thingvold added.
B次元官网网址淭hat hits close to home for me because I deal with this stuff day in and day out with my job,B次元官网网址� working with a post-flood and fire restoration company, he said.
B次元官网网址淲e thank the community for their understanding and patience as we continue to work on this investigation,B次元官网网址� fire Chief Mike Owens said in a press release from the City of Port Alberni.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.
susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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