British Columbia

Fire at Surrey, B.C., business sends 1 person to hospital

One person has suffered what is being described as "significant burns" after a fire at a Surrey, B.C., commercial building on 104 Avenue Friday morning, officials say.

Fire at commercial building in Guildford area leads to road closures on busy 104 Avenue Friday

Black smoke spews from a two-storey building as firefighters and police vehicles are seen on the road.
One person was hospitalized after a fire in a commercial building in the Surrey, B.C., neighbourhood of Guildford on Friday, according to police. (Shane MacKichan)

One person was taken to the hospital with serious burns after a fire at a Surrey, B.C., commercial building on 104 Avenue, officials say.

A spokesperson for the Surrey Police Service said the fire was reported in the 15300 block of 104 Avenue, at the intersection of 154 Street, on Friday around 8:30 a.m. 

The building that was damaged by flames houses multiple businesses, and officials say the cause of the blaze is now under investigation.

"One patient suffered significant burns and was taken to the hospital by ambulance," said Rich Bodnark, the assistant deputy chief of operations at the Surrey Fire Service.

Over 50 firefighters and 20 fire trucks responded to the blaze on Friday morning, according to Bodnark. He said it was fortunate many of the businesses were closed for Good Friday. 

A firefighter uses a hose on a sunny day, with a snowtopped mountain visible in the background.
The exact cause of the blaze is now under investigation, according to police. (Shane MacKichan)

"We need to thank the fire crews that were on scene, they work diligently," he said. "In addition, I just want to think about the people that have been displaced today, the businesses that will suffer from this loss of fire."

Police said roads have been closed for multiple blocks around the intersection of 104 Avenue and 154 Street, a busy area of Guildford close to Highway 1.

Firefighting efforts are expected to last for several hours, the police spokesperson added on Friday afternoon.

Grey smoke spews from a building with firefighters on the ground.
The Surrey Fire Service says people will not be able to return to businesses in the building due to damage. (Shane MacKichan)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Akshay Kulkarni

Journalist

Akshay Kulkarni is an award-winning journalist who has worked at CBC British Columbia since 2021. Based in Vancouver, he is most interested in data-driven stories. You can email him at akshay.kulkarni@cbc.ca.