Community mobilizes after devastating blaze
New Westminster residents have mounted a swift and sizable response after a July 10 apartment fire destroyed Pinecrest Manor and forced about 150 people from their homes, including tenants in a neighbouring building. City Coun. Paul Minhas said those displaced are being accommodated in hotels across New Westminster and Burnaby while longer-term needs are assessed.
In the days since the fire, a locally organized online fundraiser surpassed $36,000, reflecting the scale of neighbourhood support and the urgency felt by those responding. The effort was launched by Isabella Wang, a resident living near the site, who emphasized that contributions would be channelled directly to impacted tenants.
“The funds will be 100 per cent directed to residents who are impacted and have lost their homes,” fundraiser organizer Isabella Wang wrote.
The online appeal captures the human toll of the loss, describing the building as a sanctuary for its residents across 50 units and noting the destruction of cherished possessions and essential items. While fundraising continues, local service providers have also coordinated an on-the-ground response to immediate needs.
Donation drive fills up within a day
New Westminster Neighbourhood House was named a beneficiary of the fundraiser and set up a temporary donation hub at the Lord Kelvin Elementary gymnasium to accept clothing and household items. According to executive director Mary Trentadue, the facility stopped taking clothing after its first 24 hours open because the community response was overwhelming.
“We have been sorting donations for the past week in order for the residents that were impacted to come in and find some clothing that might support them in the next few days,” she said. “That’s the thing about New West, when we put out a call for help, it just comes flooding.”
Neighbourhood House said the temporary centre was scheduled to close on Saturday after a week of intake and sorting, shifting the organization’s focus to distributing what had already been received and coordinating with affected households. The surge of donated items underscores the pace at which residents and local groups can mobilize when a crisis strikes close to home.
Immediate needs and next steps
Tenants from Pinecrest Manor and the adjacent building are navigating a complex recovery. With hotel accommodation in place for now, the more difficult work ahead includes replacing essentials, finding stable housing, and addressing disruptions to health and employment caused by the sudden evacuation.
While officials have not provided a timeline for when residents might secure longer-term solutions, the quick outpouring of assistance offers practical relief in the interim. Community partners indicate that coordination will be essential to ensure donations and funds are matched to evolving needs, particularly as evacuees move from emergency lodging to more permanent arrangements.
At-a-glance: What we know
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of fire | July 10 |
| Primary building | Pinecrest Manor (destroyed) |
| Units impacted | 50 units at Pinecrest Manor |
| People displaced | Approximately 150 residents (including neighbouring building) |
| Current lodging | Hotels in New Westminster and Burnaby |
| Fundraising | More than $36,000 raised via GoFundMe |
| Donation hub | Lord Kelvin Elementary gym (temporary, closed Saturday) |
| Lead agencies | New Westminster Neighbourhood House; fundraiser organizers |
How residents have been helping
- Contributing to the online fundraiser organized by a neighbour, with proceeds directed to displaced tenants.
- Donating clothing and household items to New Westminster Neighbourhood House’s temporary intake at Lord Kelvin Elementary, which has now stopped accepting additional clothing due to volume.
- Supporting evacuees as they transition from hotels to more stable housing, guided by local service providers.
The scale of support in the fire’s aftermath has been immediate and visible, demonstrating the city’s capacity to respond when neighbours are in need. As the situation evolves, agencies overseeing relief say the focus will remain on aligning financial assistance and donated goods with the specific, short-term needs of people who lost their homes on July 10.
