Chinatown ATM fire leaves bank damaged: Vancouver fire

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) says investigators believe an ATM machine was “intentionally” set on fire Friday night, causing extensive damage to a neighbouring bank.

In a tweet, the VFRS says the fire happened at a Scotiabank on Keefer Street near Gore Avenue.

“Sprinklers controlled the fire and fire crews contained the incident. Extensive damage to bank from water as a result,” the tweet reads.

Intentionally set fire set on the 200 Blk of Keefer Street in Chinatown Friday night. Sprinklers controlled the fire and fire crews contained the incident. Extensive damage to bank from water as a result. pic.twitter.com/i0dnNeIwSH

— Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (@VanFireRescue) April 3, 2023

VFRS Capt. Matt Trudeau says one suspect was spotted on surveillance footage, who investigators believe set the fire.

“Crews were dispatched to reports of fire in an ATM area and on arrival they did see steam and smoke coming out of…Scotiabank,” he said.

“Beside the ATM…some paper and combustible material was intentionally set. The fire spread up the side into some plastic, some combustibles were alongside of it,” he said.

Trudeau says that although the fire was quickly taken care of, crews had a hard time turning off the water.

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“The sprinkler head activated, controlled the fire, but was flowing for some period of time,” he explained. “There was a significant amount of water that was inside the store causing quite a bit of damage inside, so quite a bit of water and smoke damage inside of the structure.”

“Thankfully, not too much damage from the fire in the heat per se, but the aftermath is for sure the smoke, the water.”

Vancouver Fire says the investigation has been turned over to the Vancouver Police Department.