A pair of dental offices and a music school are left searching for a new home after their shared office building in Tsawwassen was gutted by fire on New Year’s Day.
Serenity Dental, Nature’s Design Dental and Modern Music School Vancouver, all located in the 5400 block of 12th Ave., had their offices destroyed in the fire.
Delta fire department deputy fire Chief Brad Wilson said engine two was just about to respond to a medical call Wednesday morning when they noticed the building across the street from the fire hall was on fire.
“Engine two notified dispatch they were diverting to the fire and had dispatch send another apparatus to the medical incident,” said Wilson. “Just after 4:02 a.m., four apparatus was dispatched plus a battalion chief (16 personnel).”
Wilson said the three-storey wood frame office building had large fire involvement in the exterior and roof sections of the building.
He said the first engine company took command and called for a second alarm, adding another engine company and a ladder company bringing the total to 24 firefighters on scene.
“Fire crews performed a defensive attack as it was reported there were no occupants in the building and it was deemed unsafe to perform an interior attack,” said Wilson. “Delta police assisted by evacuating several homes in close proximity to the fire.”
No injuries were reported.
“Our crews did an incredible job confining the fire to the building of origin as there were several buildings exposed to the fire,” said Wilson. “By 8 a.m. the majority of our fire crews were returned to service and the people evacuated were able to return to their homes.”
As of Thursday morning, Wilson said one apparatus was still on scene putting out hot spots and assisting police with the fire investigation.
“At this time we do not have a cause,” said Wilson.
Staff at both dental offices took to social media on Wednesday praising the efforts of the fire department as well as the community who reached out offering their support.
Dr. Crista Walker from Serenity Dental said she recently purchased a building in Boundary Bay and will have a new dental home once it is built out.
“Super grateful to all the firemen that helped last night and no one got hurt,” she wrote on her Facebook post.
On Thursday she updated her post thanking Tsawwassen Commons Dental and doctors Aida Janfada, Benny Yee and Ann Sahota who offered to share their space temporarily as well as Dr. Gadassi who will also be assisting her.
Nature’s Dental Design has been practicing in the clinic space for more than 25 years.
Dr. Ash Kler, Dr. Ross Gorrell and the team at Nature’s Design wrote on Facebook that they were working hard to find a temporary solution to continue to see patients until they find a new home.
“We ensure will be keeping our patients and our community informed. We will be in contact with you if you have an appointment already scheduled however, please feel free to reach out to Carol Ann, office manager at: [email protected]or Casey Neal, district manager at [email protected]should you have any direct questions.
“We are extremely thankful and blessed no one was injured in the fire, and our sincerest gratitude goes out to the fire department for their quick response, determination and hard work last night and this morning.”
Chris and Leonie from the music school start they are going to rebuild and come back stronger.
“We're currently looking for space to rent in Tsawwassen where we will be able to continue teaching music to our community,” they said in an email to the Optimist. “We're already planning on including a band/rehearsing studio and a recording studio where our students will be able to compose and record their own songs.
“We're very optimistic and are trying to see something positive in a tragedy. Every cloud has a silver lining.”
They said the support that have received from the community is absolutely stunning and amazing.
“We're so grateful for everyone who reached out to us and offered help,” they said. “We literally received hundreds of encouraging emails and phone calls from our students and parents, but also from other beautiful people living in this amazing community. Everyone we talked to encouraged us to rebuild and continue offering our services.”
