A report of a car fire led firefighters to the scene of a blaze that destroyed much of a two-row three-storey wood frame townhouse project in Langley’s Willoughby area on Saturday afternoon, June 26.
Langley Township assistant fire chief Andy Hewitson told the Langley Advance Times crews were dispatched to a report of a car fire around 1:30 p.m. in the area of 80th Avenue and 204th Street and quickly located a column of smoke coming from the 50-unit Skylark development on 80th avenue.
Multiple crews and vehicles, including firefighters from Langley City joined the fight, battling to keep the blaze from spreading to neighbouring properties.
A firefighter could be seen hosing down one neighbouring house to the east of the burning buildings.
One house near the project suffered an undetermined amount of damage, Hewitson said.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Afternoon fire destroys roofs of two Langley homes
One resident said he heard what appeared to be propane tanks exploding, and charred wood from the fire landed near his residence, more than a block away.
A video by passer by Mariana, taken during the early moments of the blaze, showed smoke and flame emitting from the front row of houses.
Around 40 firefighters fought in almost 40-degree temperatures.
No injuries were reported
Hewitson said the entire project is likely a write-off.
“One row is completely destroyed, the other is a tear-down,” Hewitson commented.
Townhomes of the project were already up for presale.
READ ALSO: Willoughby Fire: The aftermath of the inferno in Langley
Saturday’s fire was just down the road from the April 19 fire that gutted the under-construction Alexander Square condo complex at 208th Street and 80th Avenue, leaving behind only two elevator shafts and displacing several residents in the area.
Large structure fire on 80th Avenue in the 20200 block. Buildings under construction. 80th Avenue will be closed both directions between 200 & 204 Streets for the foreseeable future. Motorists should consider alternate travel routes.
— Langley RCMP (@LangleyRCMP) June 26, 2021
Traffic was blocked off in both directions on 80th Avenue.
Fire investigators have been called in.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Want to support local journalism? Make a donation here.
