October 8, 2008

Suspected Arson

Developer begins to pick up the pieces after Quattro condominium fire

Richard Gilbert

staff writer

Charan Sethi, owner of Tien Sher Development Group Inc., is picking up the pieces after part of Surrey’s largest multi-phase condominium burnt to the ground while still under construction.

The $625-million Quattro condominium project is being constructed in six phases and includes 11,000 units on four hectares of land in North Whalley. It was billed as Surrey B.C.’s largest residential and commercial project.

Construction workers and a police patrol both raised the alarm about a fire that started shortly before 4 p.m. on Oct. 1.

“On the day of the fire, most of the men on the project were crying, but I had to stay composed,” said Sethi.

“I spent five years of my life taking this project from empty land and drug houses. We put our heart and soul into this project.”

Eleven fire crews were deployed to battle the blaze. They managed to save the first phase of the project, but the second phase was destroyed.

Construction workers at the site got out and no one was injured.

“I am clearing my head and getting myself motivated,” said Sethi. “I am looking at a building that is burned down and another one that has a tarp cover on it.”

Residents were expected to start moving into the Quattro 2 in about 10 months.

“The first building was supposed to be ready in the first week of November,” said Sethi.

“This is how close we were to completion. We were working on final approval and getting ready to move people in.”

The Quattro 1 building, which suffered heat damage as a result of the towering flames, was set to open next month.

The project, which is viewed as a key part in the revitalization of Whalley, was covered by insurance and will be rebuilt.

Sethi said the insurers arrived on the scene of the fire within 1.5 hours and were there all day on October 3rd and 4th.

“The buildings are under the control of the insurer and they must release the buildings to me, before I can do anything,” he explained.

“The insurers have brought in the emergency restoration people, who are repairing damage to the roof, tearing out drywall and carpets.”

The parking lot is currently filled with five feet of water and Sethi said they should be able to start pumping the water out of the parking lot on soon.

Quattro 1, which was partially damaged, is a U-shaped building with three adjoining wings.

Sethi estimated that between 12 and 15 units were damaged.

During the peak of the blaze, flames shot into the sky and set the operators box of a crane on fire.

“There was so much heat that it affected the exterior face, including windows and siding, which have to be fixed,” said Sethi.

“There was very little damage inside.”

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