Access to downtown Chilliwack businesses, office closed in aftermath of overnight fire

CHILLIWACK — Multiple Chilliwack RCMP personnel are on scene in downtown Chilliwack in the aftermath of the Wellington Avenue fire that has closed access to multiple Chilliwack businesses.

A two-alarm blaze broke out at approximately 12:30 a.m. early Wednesday, prompting 36 firefighters from multiple halls to attend.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

The blaze has destroyed the structure above Beautilandia, a beauty supply shop that recently opened in the 45800 block of Wellington Avenue. It’s not immediately clear how much damage the downstairs beauty supply incurred, but there is yellow caution tape impeding access to the store.

There are shards of glass at the front entrance to Jin Sing Jewellers at 45867 Wellington Avenue just next door, and it has yellow caution tape impeding access to it as of Wednesday morning.

Yellow caution tape is also blocking access to the front entrance of E. Yong Oriental Restaurant at 45861 Wellington Avenue, and the Crime Prevention Services office at 4577 Wellington Avenue.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

Fraser Valley Today spoke with a female employee of This N That, a thrift shop at 45889 Wellington Avenue. She said the business experienced minor flooding from water used to fight the overnight blaze. Aside from a few waterlogged carpets, their business was still slated to open Wednesday morning without extensive additional damage.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

It’s not known how much damage a tattoo shop at 45883 Wellington suffered, or if businesses like Freshslice (45887 Wellington) and Penguine Ice Cream were impacted. There was no yellow caution tape outside their businesses Wednesday morning.