One person missing after Vancouver parking lot collapse
Posted July 15, 2022 8:47 am.
Last Updated July 15, 2022 2:58 pm.
One person is “unaccounted for” after a rooftop parking lot collapsed in Vancouver, near the Burnaby border, Thursday afternoon.
Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry confirmed the news Friday morning, saying crews were on scene and searching for the individual.
“We have specialized heavy equipment and structural collapse expertise doing everything they can,” she wrote in a tweet.
Our @VanFireRescue @CANTF1 crews remain on scene and continue to work hard to find one unaccounted for individual.
We have specialized heavy equipment and structural collapse expertise doing everything they can.@CityofVancouver https://t.co/In2xtW6SF6
— Karen Fry (@Karen_Fry) July 15, 2022
The rooftop parking lot collapsed along Lougheed Highway, west of Boundary Road and east of Rupert Street, Thursday around 1 p.m.
Several people had to be rescued, with two sent to hospital.
“Eight people were rescued on initial response to the building. They were stuck a little beside the collapse zone. Firefighters breached the window on the second floor and took them down off the aerial,” Assistant Vancouver Fire Chief Dan Moberg said Friday.
It’s unclear how seriously the two people taken to hospital were hurt, or what their injuries may be.
Canada Task Force 1, which assists in the rescue of victims from major structural collapses and other hazards, is on scene assisting Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.
Crews were seen Friday morning removing large pieces of broken concrete and other debris.
It’s still unclear what exactly triggered the collapse. However, fire officials have said that a small bobcat-style loader was working on the roof and drilling was underway when it caved in.
“The decking part of a parking lot had collapsed onto office space below,” Moberg previously said.
The eastbound lanes along Lougheed Highway remain closed to traffic east of Rupert Street.
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This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
With files from Denise Wong and Kurtis Doering
