People chat outside the two houses on MacSwan Drive, seen here on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, that were destroyed in an early morning fire on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

People chat outside the two houses on MacSwan Drive, seen here on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, that were destroyed in an early morning fire on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Pair of online fundraisers geared to helping Chilliwack fire victims

The homes of two next-door neighbours on MacSwan Drive suffered fire, smoke and water damage on Aug. 31

The two online fundraisers set up to help victims of the Promontory fire had amassed more than $10,000 in total by Wednesday morning.

GoFundMe accounts were established to help MacSwan Drive residents Tom Baker and Sean MacKinnon, whose homes were extensively damaged in the early hours of Aug. 31.

Crews from Chilliwack Fire Department were called out at approximately 1 a.m. to a structure fire reported in the 47000-block of MacSwan Drive on Promontory. Firefighters quickly hooked up a nearby hydrant, established a water supply and brought the large fire under control.

Crews returned to the scene of the fire Monday morning before 9 a.m. after reports of smoke rising again coming from the burned structures.

Both homes suffered fire, smoke and water damage, but swift action by fire crews at the scene overnight prevented the flames from spreading to other nearby homes. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries and all the occupants were able to safely get out.

For anyone wanting to donate to the cause, there is a Tom Baker house fire fundraiser and a Sean MacKinnon one on GoFundMe.com

“This fire is under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department and RCMP fire investigators.”

Anyone with any information about this fire is asked to call the RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.chilliwackcrimestoppers.ca

READ MORE: MacSwan Drive fire destroys two homes


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Chilliwack Progress