West Chilliwack was rocked by fire and explosion Sunday afternoon after an auto body shop burned to the ground.
No one was injured in the fire, but oily black smoke could be seen for miles.
The two-alarm blaze broke out just before 3 p.m. in the 44000 block of Yale Road.
When firefighters arrived at the business – Doc’s Auto Body – thick smoke was already venting from the eaves and roof structure of the single storey commercial automotive shop.
A total of 10 fire units were brought in to fight the fire, but the battle was primarily defensive, the department said.
Damage to the building was extensive. However, fire crews were able to protect the office space and remove business machines and documents.
There was no one in the building at the time of the fire, and no firefighters were injured.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by fire department officials.
