Maple Ridge community helps Salvation Army clients after fire

Community partners in Maple Ridge are helping Salvation Army Ridge Meadows clients after a fire made its building unsafe to occupy.

The fire broke out Monday morning, Aug. 17, inside walls at the building near Lougheed Highway and 222 Street. The site sustained smoke and fire damage before crews extinguished the blaze.

Ridge Church, across the street, opened its basement to people from the shelter. The City of Maple Ridge obtained cots and firefighters delivered them; 51 people stayed overnight there Monday.

The Hub, in the church parking lot, is providing three meals daily with Salvation Army staff helping to prepare and serve food. Salvation Army spokesperson Amelia Norrie said everyone had a place to sleep.

Norrie said air quality in the Salvation Army building remains too toxic for people to work there. Restoration crews are on site and a return timeline is expected by Thursday. Firefighters say the cause is undetermined.