Residents have gathered on the streets in a quiet New West neighbourhood and the surrounding areas after a fire broke out at an apartment building.
According to information from New Westminster Fire Chief Erin Williams, crews responded to a First Alarm fire on the 900 block of Fourth Avenue at around 1:30 p.m.
When crews arrived, multiple units were on fire with residents on balconies.
“Several residents were rescued using ground ladders while crews attacked the fire from the interior of the building and assisted residents in evacuating. NWFRS crews did a phenomenal job under extreme fire conditions,” Williams said.
Since then, the fire has been upgraded to Third Alarm, and New West crews are getting an assist from Burnaby Fire. There has also been a call out of off-duty New Westminster fire crews.
“There are currently eight apparatus on scene, including two aerial trucks. Two firefighters and one resident have been transported to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services,” Williams said.
Amir Ali/Daily Hive
Amir Ali/Daily Hive
“Further to the above, the area surrounding the structure fire has been closed off to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Fourth Street is closed between Eighth and Tenth Street. These closures are expected to be in effect for several hours,” said the City of New Westminster.
A massive fire broke out in #NewWest. Literally a block away from me. pic.twitter.com/TrI14AkDMI
— Amir Ali ⌨️☕️🏴☠️ (@AmirsDoingItAll) July 10, 2026
Much of New West has been shrouded in smoke due to the blaze, with the strong smell of smoke travelling across the city. Many citizens were gathered nearby to take pictures and videos of the blaze.
The smoke could also be seen from nearby bridges in Metro Vancouver.