160 homes evacuated as crews battle large apartment fire in Abbotsford

Dozens ofpeople havebeenevacuated from their homes inAbbotsford, B.C., after a large fire broke out in an apartment building early Tuesday.

Crews were called to the 30500-block of Cardinal Avenue just after 6 a.m. PT,Abbotsford Fire Rescue Services said.

About four hours after the blaze broke out, Chief Darren Lee said 51 firefighters, including crews from Langley and Mission, were still working to control the fire that forced people in 160 units, as well as neighbouring homes and businesses, to evacuate.

"We're going to have a fair amount of folks displaced," said Lee.

He said firefighters were still working at around 10 a.m. to put out pockets of flames on the roof and contain the spread on upper floors of the building. They were also trying to rescue pets still trapped inside.

Abbotsford police are asking residents who have been displaced to check in at a reception centre set up at Northview Church at 32040 Downes Rd. Lee said once people have checked in, the process can begin to get them some emergency support.

The public hasbeen asked to avoid the area, which is just north of the Highstreet shopping centre at Mount Lehman.

FortisBC has shut off the gas at the scene.