Commuters in Vancouver drive over hose, endanger crews fighting house fire
Posted May 27, 2022 10:19 am.
Last Updated May 27, 2022 4:42 pm.
A Vancouver home is severely damaged after a major fire Friday morning. But after a number of drivers drove over and broke a hose, an assistant fire chief says crews were put in danger.
Photos shared online showed the home engulfed in flames and Vancouver Fire Assistant Chief Richard Warnock says the fire has burned through the roof.
As crews fought the flames, Warnock says cars ran over a hose resulting in a burst line.
“So as our line was burst, we couldn’t verify our source. So we had to go from offensive fire to defensive fire,” he told CityNews. “So just to the public. If you ever have hose lines, please do not drive over the hose lines.”
After a number of cars drove on top of the hose, Trevor Connelly, Assistant Deputy Chief of Operations added explains one vehicle caught on the hose and caused the hose to break.
“I need the public to know that this is very, very dangerous behaviour for yourself, because these hoses are under high pressure. But it’s extremely dangerous for firefighters and civilians that are involved in the fire,” he added. “We have firefighters in the buildings fighting these fires, and they rely on that water to keep them safe. If they lose that water to their hose while they’re inside the building, the results could be absolutely catastrophic.”
The home has extensive fire and water damage to the main floor and water damage to the basement, Warnock says.
Connelly added, “At this point, it’s too early to tell what happened. It does look like most of the fire was in the upper floor, attic area. Fire investigators are on scene. And we’ll be conducting a thorough investigation once it’s known that the fire is completely out and it’s safe to go inside.”
Crews have completed a search of the building and everyone was able to get out safely so no one was in the home at the time, so there are no injuries.
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— Matthew Van Deventer (@MattVanDeventer) May 27, 2022
Southbound at Cambie Street and 61st Avenue was blocked for drivers because of the fire.
TransLink had to detour its number 15 Cambie bus but it has since resumed regular service.
Smoke could be seen around the area and from parts of downtown Vancouver.
