Three-alarm fire engulfs East Vancouver Value Village
Posted June 29, 2022 10:35 pm.
Last Updated June 30, 2022 4:21 pm.
A large fire has destroyed the East Vancouver Value Village on East Hastings and Victoria Drive.
The fire began around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night, and quickly engulfed the Value Village, and threatened several other buildings close by.
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Asst. Chief Brad Hesse says the building was believed to be empty at the time of the fire.
“Crews arrived to find the fire fully involved, flames coming out onto Hastings street, and flames coming out onto the rear as well,” he said.
People were told to leave their homes in a housing complex behind the building, but he says crews were hopeful that those residents would be getting back in as soon as possible.
Fire crews operating at a 3rd alarm fire last night on the 1800blk of East Hastings. No injuries reported. Still on scene putting out hot spots. East bound lanes closed still. pic.twitter.com/bd47x45tB3
— Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (@VanFireRescue) June 30, 2022
There was some smoke and heat damage to the surrounding buildings, but no fire damage.
Many reported they could still smell the smoke Thursday morning kilometres away from the blaze.
“Definitely at this time they should be closing their windows, and shutting off any ventilation that might be drawing the smoke into their building like air conditioning units,” Hesse said.
Adding if that still doesn’t fix the smell of smoke, if it’s really bad, residents should evacuate until the smoke dissipates.
There are no reports of any injuries.
VIDEO: A massive fire at the Value Village on East Hastings has reduced the building to rubble as emergency crews work to put out the flames. The three alarm blaze has closed Hastings from Victoria to Commercial. https://t.co/OAZSJqzWKc @CityNewsVAN @VanFireRescue @IAFF18 pic.twitter.com/Zb9mjK09q5
— Chad Harris (@ChadHarrisTV) June 30, 2022
He says because of the size of the fire, it took a long time to get a handle on it and crews remained on scene for hours knocking down hot spots.
“At this time we have no idea what started this fire,” he said late Wednesday.
Traffic was closed surrounding the fire overnight, with some routes still impacted as of 9:00 a.m. Thursday.
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