Early-morning fire engulfs Mission property

A fire in the early hours of Aug. 4 ripped through a home in Mission, causing extensive damage.

Mission Fire Rescue Service received a report of a fire at 2:15 a.m. at a property on Hurd Street, near the intersection with Van Velzen Avenue, said Duty Chief Dave Taylor.

He said when crews arrived on scene, heavy flames were seen shooting through the roof, with several hot spots having to be targeted in the ceiling.

“It had already caught on to the exposures, there were a couple cars in the driveway as well as a shop or a shed (on fire),” Taylor said. “A quick response, (and) crews tackled the fire.”

The initial caller believed residents were trapped inside, but firefighters found it unoccupied; there are several pets that are unaccounted for, Taylor said.

He said that explosions neighbours heard were likely the result of the vehicles on fire in the driveway.

The house remains taped off, with an RCMP vehicle stationed outside. A fire investigation will take place today to determine the source of the fire, Taylor said.

“We just finished wrapping up about an hour ago (6:30 a.m.) as far as putting the fire out. Now from this point it’ll be up to the RCMP and fire investigators to start digging through.”

The main brunt of the flames were extinguished by the arriving crew, and the fire was contained to the top floor of the property, not affecting a basement, Taylor said.

He said the damage is extensive, but it’s hard to say how structurally affected the building is until the investigation takes place.