Everyone was evacuated safely from an apartment fire downtown Chilliwack early Monday morning.

The fire appears to have originated in the semi-detached carport of the six-plex, located on Edward Street at Patten Avenue. Neighbours who rushed to help say the residents are mostly seniors and their pets. One cat seems to be missing, but everyone else was accounted for.

The fire broke out at about 5:30 a.m., and worked its way up into the north side of the building from the carport, and the side of the building suffered some fire damage.

The Chilliwack Fire Department issued a press release quickly after the fire was contained, noting that fire鈥檚 cause is under investigation.

鈥淭hirty-seven firefighters responded from Halls 1, 4 and 6 and on arrival, reported heavy fire and smoke venting from three fully involved vehicles in the carport, with fire extending up into the

semi-detached six-unit apartment complex. All occupants of the apartment complex had safely evacuated from the building,鈥� the release states.

鈥淚nitial arriving crews called for a second alarm, and quickly began an offensive fire attack while securing a water supply to bring the fire under control. Firefighters effectively extinguished the

fire, minimizing fire spread to the apartment complex. The apartment complex sustained significant fire and smoke damage, displacing six families.鈥�

Nearby buildings were also damaged by the radiant heat from the fire, and three vehicles in the carport were destroyed.

There were no firefighter or civilian injuries.

The fire is under investigation by RCMP and Chilliwack Fire department to determine cause. If anyone has any information about this fire, they are asked to call the RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.upperfraservalleycrimestoppers.ca.

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