Residents evacuated after fire at New Westminster apartment building

A fire broke out at a New Westminster apartment building early Sunday, forcing residents and pets to evacuate. Deputy Chief Jeff Romanyk of New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services said crews were called to the building on Agnes Street at about 3:30 a.m. The fire started on a balcony and “worked its way into the roof structure.”

No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation. Romanyk said many people were away for the Thanksgiving weekend. About six hours after the fire began, firefighters were still working to bring it under control. Romanyk said it was not yet clear when, or whether, residents would be able to return.

TransLink reported that a number of buses were being detoured and asked the public to avoid the area while firefighters were on scene.