Fire investigators say that candles left burning on a living room table were the cause of a fire at an Abbotsford apartment building on Sunday.
Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS) crews were called at about 5:30 p.m. to Parklane Manor, located at 33331 Old Yale Rd.
When they arrived, they discovered that two men who lived in the building had seen smoke coming from beneath the door of a third-floor suite. The pair had quickly grabbed two fire extinguishers, forced their way into the suite and sprayed the fire.
Crews put out the rest of the fire and used fans to dissipate the smoke in the suite and the hallways.
The two men, in their 20s, were taken to hospital, where they were treated for minor smoke inhalation and released.
Fire officials are commending them for their quick actions, but said no one should enter a building or unit that is on fire.
“It’s extremely dangerous to go in and try to put out a fire like that on your own with extinguishers,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dave Rivett.
“These two men could have easily succumbed to the effects of smoke inhalation since they had no safety gear, and the fire could have easily spread to the hallways and adjoining units.”
The resident of the suite was not home at the time and did not have any contents insurance, Rivett said.
Total damage is estimated at more than $50,000, with some additional smoke damage to the third-floor hallway.
Six AFRS fire trucks and approximately 25 firefighters were on scene. Emergency Social Services, the Abbotsford Police and BC Ambulance also attended.
