Langley senior killed in apartment fire
About 100 seniors evacuated following fire at apartment complex
One person has died, three others are in hospital and dozens are out of their apartments following a fire at a Langley, B.C., seniors complex on Wednesday morning.
The fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. PT on the second floor of The Elm building, a four-storey seniors apartment on 203 Street and 54 Avenue.
Firefighter had to evacuate several residents off their balconies after smoke filled the building. At least one person was taken to hospital in critical condition, and at least two others were recovering from smoke inhalation.
Initial reports indicated everyone had survived the fire but later in the day Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender confirmed that one person's body was found in a hallway. The name of the victim has not been released.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, said Fassbender.
Ginger Sherlock, the emergency co-ordinator for the City and Township of Langley, said about 100 people were evacuated from the building, but she hopes at least 60 will be able to return home later today.
"They may not be mobile, but they're very resilient. These people understand patience. They understand that these guys are doing the best they can, and moving as fast as they can to get them back into their homes," said Sherlock.
The apartment building is a 104-unit complex run by the Langley Lions Senior Citizen Housing Society.