Mounties rescue woman from a burning apartment building, Chilliwack BC

On March 9, 2011, at approximately 4:38 am, the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment RCMP responded to a call of an apartment fire at the McIntosh Manner apartments located at 45598 McIntosh Drive. One woman on the third floor was carried from her apartment to safety by RCMP members.

Minutes after the fire started, the Chilliwack RCMP General Duty members arrived on scene. Upon arrival, they observed a fire on the exterior of a second floor apartment of a three level building. Members heard and saw an explosion then entered the building to evacuate the residents. Several members were involved in the evacuation process by knocking on doors and running down the hallways warning people of the fire. Residents of this complex were initially not alarmed by the fire alarm going off as they had several recent false alarms in the building. Many of the residents were able to safely exit the apartment building on their own and walk to the Crystal Lodge, a neighbouring apartment building, for warmth and safety while the fire was being extinguished.

Five RCMP members were treated on scene for smoke inhalation, 2 were transported to hospital for further examination and observation. They have since been released. Three occupants of the building were also transported to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, all of which have since been released.

A 24 year veteran of the RCMP, Sgt. Glen Carrier, and a 7 year member of the RCMP, Cst. Pierre Boivin, assisted with evacuating residents of the building, as they were 2 of five who were at scene within minutes. Once the fire department arrived, the members were asked to exit the building by fire fighters, but they continued to assist and carried a 67 year old female down three flights of stairs. This woman had recently been released from the hospital after receiving hip surgery and was not able to get out on her own. "These two members went above and beyond the call of duty," said Corporal Tammy Hollingsworth. "They risked their own lives by running into a burning building to save the residents of this building to ensure everyone got out safely."

Out of the 72 units in the building, all but two were able to return to their homes. The suites in the building are all occupied and have residents of various ages. The two units that were affected by the fire were subject to fire, smoke, and water damage. The occupants of these residences are currently staying with friends or family.

At this point, the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment RCMP Serious Crime Unit has assumed responsibility of this investigation. The police are treating the fire as suspicious, but the initial cause of the fire is yet to be determined. The Serious Crime Unit is in the initial stages of the investigation and examination of the scene is ongoing.