One person was found dead after an apartment fire Monday morning in White Rock.
Crews were called to the fire inside the Wedgewood Park (1437 Foster St.) apartment building, at approximately 7:30 a.m.
Deputy fire Chief Ed Wolfe said they sent 20 firefighters to the fire, which was contained to one unit on the third floor. He said the blaze was quickly extinguished.
White Rock RCMP issued a news release Monday afternoon, saying that the occupant of the unit was found dead.
“There is no public safety risk and the death is not believed to be suspicious,” the release said.
Some occupants have been displaced by the fire.
“Due to smoke and water damage, approximately 20 residents have been displaced. The City of White Rock has activated the Emergency Support Services Reception Centre to provide assistance to those displaced,” the RCMP release states.
Fire Chief Phil Lemire said most residents have been able to return to their homes, with three units impacted to the point where residents were displaced.
White Rock RCMP said the BC Coroners Service is investigating and working to confirm both the identity of the victim and cause of death. The name of the deceased will not be released due to privacy.
2/2 – People have been evacuated from this three-storey building and are being temporarily sheltered at a City community centre.
More information will soon be available.
— City of White Rock (@whiterockcity) April 6, 2020
In a news release issued Monday afternoon, City of White Rock sent condolences to the family who lost a loved one in the fire.
“We are a small, tightly-knit city. When we lose one person, we all feel that loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time, and with all of those people who were temporarily without a home as a result of the fire,” Mayor Darryl Walker said in the release.
White Rock Fire and RCMP are investigating the cause of the fire.
