WATCH: It’s been a week since a fire tore through a Maple Ridge apartment. The victims are now struggling to pick up the pieces. Nadia Stewart reports.
A week after a fire at Maple Ridge’s Sunrise Apartments, many are still looking for a new home while their building gets repaired.
“There’s not many places to call in Maple Ridge, it’s pretty small,” says Cheryl Bailey, one of the over 100 residents who were displaced.
“Everything I have is in my apartment.”
The fire at the three-floor complex broke out just before 6 a.m. on March 21, gutting several suites. While everyone was able to get out of the building without serious injuries, there is water, smoke and fire damage throughout the building, which won’t reopen for some time.
The government is providing housing to displaced residents until April 1. The Red Cross are working with people who will need help after that date, but say it’s a challenge with the low vacancy rate in Maple Ridge.
“Whether it’s support with clothing or food or calls out to different landlords…we’ve been trying to match these needs,” says Dempsey.
If you have a rental unit available for evacuees, you’re asked to call the Red Cross at 604-848-4384. Donations can be made at the Maple Ridge London Drugs, or the Maple Ridge Red Cross office at #5-11435 201A Street. A Facebook page has also been set up to help those in need.