One person died and six others were injured in Surrey’s first residential fire of 2024 – a New Year’s Day blaze in South Surrey.
Fire crews dispatched to a home in the 14300-block of 26 Avenue at approximately 6:45 a.m. Jan. 1 arrived to find a two-storey residence “fully involved,” Richard Bodnark, Surrey Fire Service assistant chief of operations, said Tuesday.
“Responding firefighters executed a rescue, interior attack and an occupant search,” Bodnark continued.
Bodnark said three adults were plucked from a second-floor balcony; the interior search located a deceased individual on the home’s second floor.
In all, BC Ambulance Service attended to 10 residents of the home, with six taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries and smoke inhalation. Surrey RCMP confirmed the deceased was a senior.
Bodnark said a total of seven units with 24 firefighters responded to the scene.
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Surrey RCMP also attended, and are investigating the fire’s cause in partnership with Surrey Fire Service.
Officers canvassed the neighbourhood, speaking with witnesses, and 144 Street was closed in both directions, according to a news release issued by the Mounties on Jan. 1.
Bodnark commended officers’ and firefighters’ efforts with averting further tragedy.
“Their quick actions probably saved three additional lives,” he said.
Investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502; quote file #2024-125.
To make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.solvecrime.ca