Two hospitalized after East Vancouver rooftop parking lot collapse
Posted July 14, 2022 2:22 pm.
Last Updated July 15, 2022 6:32 am.
Two people have been taken to the hospital after a rooftop parking lot collapsed near Vancouver’s border with Burnaby.
It happened on Lougheed Highway between Rupert Street and Boundary Road at about 1 p.m. Thursday.
In an email to CityNews, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services says eight people have been rescued from the collapse, with two people sent to hospital.
Canada Task Force 1, which assists in the rescue of victims from major structural collapses and other hazards, was on scene throughout the day as emergency crews worked through the debris.
Vancouver police previously told CityNews the situation was quickly changing.
“There are a number of people inside the building – right now we’re working to access injuries, if there are any, and assess whether or not everybody is (accounted for),” Sgt. Steve Addison said prior to the rescues. “It’s going to change probably minute by minute hour by hour as we work through it.
“It’s an unfolding event. Multiple agencies are responding … at this point it appears to be a piece of heavy machinery – a piece of heavy equipment that’s fallen through. I believe the roof of a second story building,” Addison added.
The exact cause of the collapse is still unknown. However, fire crews have said a small bobcat-style loader was working on the roof and drilling was underway when the collapse happened.
“The decking part of a parking lot had collapsed onto office space below,” explained Assistant Vancouver Fire Chief Dan Moberg.
Fire trucks were seen at the back of the building with a ladder extended to the parking lot above Thursday afternoon.
A witness who was nearby said they were watching a movie at the time and that the collapse wasn’t loud enough to hear.
“We didn’t hear the collapse, but we smelled it,” they said. “We were looking for smoke or fire.”
Lougheed Highway remains closed to traffic east of Rupert Street.
-With files from The Canadian Press
