Hundreds in limbo after fire destroys future homes in Langley

LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) – This week’s massive fire at an under-construction condo complex in Langley has left hundreds of people wondering where they’ll be living later this year.

Large flames destroyed the six-storey buildings at 206 St. and 80 Ave. Monday night.

“I just felt really helpless. It was really sad to kind of watch all that work just be gone,” Taylor Janek said. She saw the building she was supposed to move into with her fiance up in flames.

The couple was supposed to move into their new home in the fall. That’s likely not going to happen anymore.

“I was speechless and I started crying,” she said. “You see pictures and stuff, but to see it person, something that you were so excited about and means a lot to you … all of a sudden, it’s gone. And there’s nothing you can do.”

She says while it’s upsetting that the buildings are destroyed, she’s thankful she hadn’t moved in yet.

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• Fire at Langley condo complex destroys three buildings

• Massive fire engulfs under-construction Langley complex

The developer says once it’s able to access the site, it’ll have a better idea of the fire’s impact to construction, adding it’s committed to rebuilding.

“Once the situation is under control and we are granted access to the construction site, we will be able to better understand the ramifications for the construction process,” reads a statement from John Rempel with RDG Yorkson Development Ltd.

“We are actively communicating with and updating all pre-sale customers, reassuring them that our mission is to complete our Alexander Square Community and reinforcing with them that we are committed to rebuilding it,” he added.

It’s still unclear what caused the fire. Firefighters were still putting out hot spots Thursday.

“I would say that it was one of the largest fires that we’ve seen in the history of the Township of Langley Fire Department, both in intensity and dollar-loss value,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Ferguson.

“We don’t have an actual dollar-loss value, but we know that it’s going to be extremely high,” he added.

No one was hurt in the fire.