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Two people seriously injured in weekend fire near Pitt Meadows
About 15 firefighters from Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge spent six hours tackling a fire on Neaves Road. Police say two people were taken to hospital in serious but stable condition as investigators look into the cause.
Emergency crews were called at about 8:50 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, to a fire in the 13200 block of Neaves Road. Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue requested support from Maple Ridge Fire Rescue. Acting Pitt Meadows fire chief Chris Miley said about 15 firefighters from the two communities responded to a barn fire and found two people outside the building suffering from smoke inhalation. Firefighters took six hours to extinguish the fire and mop up hot spots.
Maple Ridge RCMP also attended because responding agencies were unsure which municipality the property was in. Police described the structure as a residential outbuilding rather than a barn. Officers helped firefighters clear the building and, during that work, found two people on the property with fire-related injuries. Police said both were taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.
BC EHS responded with two ambulances staffed by primary care paramedics, two staffed by advanced care paramedics, and a paramedic supervisor. Brian Twaites, BC EHS paramedic public information officer, confirmed paramedics provided emergency medical care and transported two patients to hospital in serious condition.
A witness reported seeing a large police presence and an ambulance being escorted from the scene. RCMP confirmed that no one was taken into custody or arrested Saturday. Police said they are actively investigating the circumstances and are liaising with fire investigators as they examine all potential factors and the cause. Anyone with information who has not already spoken with police is asked to contact Maple Ridge RCMP at 604-463-6251.
On June 17, police were dispatched to a shots-fired call at a property in the vicinity of the 13200 block of Neaves Road. Mounties have not confirmed whether it was the same location as Saturday’s fire. During the June incident, two occupants of the property had an altercation, and one was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police would not confirm whether those injuries were caused by a firearm. RCMP said multiple people were taken into custody in what it described as an isolated incident involving parties known to police.