Apartments, restaurant gutted after massive fire in White Rock
Posted April 6, 2017 6:54 am.
Last Updated April 6, 2017 7:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WHITE ROCK (NEWS 1130) – Dozens of people woke up this morning wondering when they will be able to go back to their suites in a White Rock apartment building following a massive fire late last night.
The fiery scene played out on Marine Drive just east of Oxford Street where the flames also damaged a popular Greek restaurant.
WATCH: Fire investigators still trying to figure out what caused a blaze in White Rock that nearly destroyed iconic restaurant. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/tQLos4JxuO
— James Cybulski (@cballnews) April 6, 2017
The call came in at around 11 p.m. and when crews got there they say the second floor was totally engulfed. It took roughly 20 firefighters to tackle the blaze that caused extensive damage to multiple units inside the complex that also houses Cosmos Greek Restaurant, which is a staple in the community.
“It’s my understanding, one gentleman was taken to the hospital with some smoke inhalation. Otherwise, all residents are accounted for and I do have to commend the crews for the job they did when they first arrived. They got a good, quick knock-down on the fire,” explains White Rock Fire Chief Phil Lemire.
He adds most of the fire damage is contained to one suite, although many others are ruined by water damage.
“We heard the alarm and I said, ‘Close the door, I’m watching my show,’ Chicago Fire, believe it or not,” says one man who lives in the building. He adds he then looked in the hallway and noticed the dark smoke. “We were then going to leave and we thought of one lady, our neighbour, and we went to her suite, knocked on the door, booted it down and she was in there. So, after that we checked a couple other suites, kicked down another door but everybody’s fine.”
Investigators will be on scene all day as they try to figure out what sparked the fire.
