Two buildings on two separate lots just west of the Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries were torn down on Tuesday, following a series of fires at one of the residences last week.
Maple Ridge firefighters were called to the lot immediately west of the Sally Ann once on Thursday, Jan. 23, and then again on Friday, Jan. 24.
For the first call, 19 firefighters and five apparatus arrived on scene for a fire on the front lawn of the house. Firefighters were there for around 20 minutes, said deputy chief Geoff Spriggs.
The second call came in as a burning complaint, said Spriggs, and involved 25 firefighters and seven apparatus to fight a fire inside of the house. Firefighters were on scene for about two and a half hours.
In fact, there were four calls to this address at 22164 Lougheed Hwy. since the beginning of the year. The other two calls were of a medical nature, Spriggs noted.
Then on Tuesday, workers were on site clearing out the structures and tearing down the trees on the lots.
However, the City of Maple Ridge noted the properties were approved for demolition permits as part of the removal of derelict houses, and that work was already underway before the fire department calls last week.
“There is an active redevelopment application underway for these properties. They are privately owned and designated for future construction of low-rise apartments,” said Michelle Adams, director of bylaw, licensing and community safety The project is expected to range from four- to six-storeys high.
“The properties will be fenced off for security and safety until construction begins on the new development,” added Adams.
There is no date set for the start of construction.
