Man dead after Downtown Vancouver fire
Posted January 31, 2022 8:47 am.
Last Updated January 31, 2022 10:57 pm.
A man is dead after a fire at a Downtown Vancouver apartment.
The fourth-floor suite on Pendrell Street near Bute broke out in flames early Monday morning.
Assistant Fire Chief Ken Gemmill says other people in the building managed to get out. However, a cat also died in the fire.
“There was one other occupant in the fire suite, a female, and she was able to evacuate herself out through one of the windows in the suite. She kind of climbed out the building … to another suite and then made her way out the exit through that suite,” he explained.
The woman is being treated for smoke inhalation.
So, my apartment was on fire in Vancouver. Apparently some serious injuries. Thanks and sincere appreciation goes out to the hardworking firefighters @VanFireRescue that acted fast to put it out and reduce damage, save people. @CityofVancouver @IAFF18 pic.twitter.com/USVmFDokSE
— Jared Gnam (@JaredGnam) January 31, 2022
Gemmill says there are no sprinklers in the 12-storey concrete building.
“It’s unknown at this time if the smoke detectors were working in the suite, but the fire alarm system for the building was working.”
Investigators believe the fire was accidental, but the exact cause has not been determined.
It took a team of about 40 firefighters to put out the blaze.
“They fought the fire originally from the outside real quick before they had crews go in on the front side of the building. So the flames are knocked down fairly quick, but it was just too hot and too smoky, obviously, for the one gentleman,” Gemmill said.
