16 people treated for smoke injuires in fire in Mission, B.C., seniors home

MISSION, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The chief of the fire department in Mission, B.C., says air conditioning units were falling through the ceiling behind his crew members as they were trying to evacuate people from a burning seniors’ home. 

Chief Mark Goddard says 16 of the 142 residents who were inside the three-story Chartwells Carrington House and a connected building needed to be treated for smoke inhalation, although no one was seriously hurt. 

He said he couldn’t “say enough about the courage of his crews” during the evacuation process, and that it was one of the most complex fires – for its scope and number of people – that the department has had to face. 

He said firefighters put their lives at risk to evacuate residents on the third flood as the fire burned right above them.

Goddard said Tuesday that he’s not sure the crews would have been able to safety evacuate all the residents if it weren’t for the staff at the seniors’ home. 

The department said in a statement that about two hours into the firefight, crews found a resident still alive on the third floor and she only had minor injuries and was treated for mild hypothermia. 

“Incredible, she’s over 100 years old but she’s doing fine,” Goddard told the media on Tuesday. 

While most of the residents were able to get out on their own, Goddard said some had to be carried out. 

RCMP say in a statement that evacuees have since been picked up by family or relocated to other Chartwell residences and hotels in the area.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation although police say no criminality is suspected.

Fire crews remain on the scene to put out any hot spots, especially where the roof collapsed. 

The department’s statement said that an investigation into the cause could take many days. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 10, 2026.