Residents forced out by Mount Pleasant fire say homes looted

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services says the fire that destroyed a Mount Pleasant apartment building two weeks ago, displacing more than 70 people, was caused by candles. Monika Gul reports.

By Monika Gul

Posted August 10, 2023 7:00 pm.

Last Updated August 10, 2023 11:36 pm.

It’s been nearly two weeks since a fire destroyed a Mount Pleasant apartment building, displacing more than 70 people, and many residents are still reeling from the devastation.

On Thursday, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said investigators had determined candles were to blame for the July fire, noting it was “accidental.”

But that cause didn’t come as a surprise to everyone.

“We all knew the cause of the fire that night because the person whose unit it was came out and actually said what happened,” explained Taylor Calhoun, who lived in the building at East 10th Avenue and Prince Edward Street.

fire crews seen outside with flashing emergency lights, an apartment fire left more than 70 people displaced thursday evening

Dozens of people were displaced after a fire broke out at an apartment building in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood the evening of July 27, 2023. (Submitted)

Calhoun says while she’s not surprised by the findings, she isn’t sure why it took so long for fire investigators to publicly reveal this information.

She was among the residents allowed back into the building on Thursday to retrieve some of her belongings. However, upon entering her unit, she says she found that her home had been ransacked by looters.

“Every unit pretty much that I’ve spoken to has been looted. Just weird things have been taken. So for us, like shoes, skateboards, things out of our fridge,” Calhoun told CityNews.

“Fact that somebody was in my home, going through my stuff, taking things — that’s been probably the hardest part.”

The City of Vancouver tells CityNews it does not have any knowledge of the looting allegations.

“Due to the unsafe condition of the building, on July 31, 2023, the City’s Chief Building Official (CBO) issued orders to the owner of the building addressing the safety and security of the building. The CBO ordered the building owner to restrict all access to the building unless permitted by the CBO; provide 24-hour security to monitor all entrances/exits; install temporary fencing around the entire building, and board up all exterior doors and windows on the ground floor,” an email from the city reads.

CityNews has reached out to the Vancouver Police Department about the looting allegations but has not yet heard back.

The fire broke out the evening of July 27. About 70 firefighters responded — some suffering from heat exhaustion while one was physically injured.

While no residents were hurt, they were all forced from their homes.

“The City of Vancouver has been working with local partners and providing Emergency Support Services to the displaced residents from 414 East 10th Ave, which includes short-term accommodation, as well as food, clothing and connections to other needed services. These supports have been extended until Aug.16. Emergency Support Services is a short-term emergency support program managed by the Ministry of Emergency Management & Climate Readiness (EMCR) and delivered locally by municipalities. Extensions are approved by the EMCR on a weekly basis based on their policies,” the city explained in its statement.

Vancouver rental market puts locals in tough position

Some, like Calhoun, have found housing, while others are staying at a local hotel, arranged by Emergency Support Services, or in the homes of family and friends as they search for a new place to live in a very tight rental market.

“Looking at basically any website that rentals are posted on with very little to no success,” explained Filip Wiatrak, who also lived in the Mount Pleasant building.

a fire truck seen outside of a fire that ripped through an apartment building in vancouver's mount pleasant neighbourhood thursday night

Dozens of people were displaced after a fire broke out at an apartment building in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood the evening of July 27, 2023. (Submitted)

Wiatrak says it’s so hard to find something affordable and pet-friendly that they’re looking at the possibility of getting a work visa and leaving the country.

“I have nowhere else to go right now and I don’t want to be staying with my brother basically endlessly,” they told CityNews.

Last week, CityNews reported that the building’s owners were accused of 20 fire code violations late last year, including failure to maintain fire extinguishers, fire doors, and the fire alarm system.

“[It] just aggravates me all the more that this was such a preventable thing,” Wiatrak said.

Both Wiatrak and Calhoun say they believe the fire and resulting damage could have been avoided had fire safety been taken seriously.

“It really feels like this was something that could have been so easily prevented had these codes … been followed, had they been looked after, had they even been considered,” said Wiatrak.

“It would have helped at least mitigate some of the damage and especially the water damage to the rest of the building,” added Calhoun.

The day after the fire, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said it was going to be reviewing previous incidents and fire inspections at the building. However, it has yet to share any of its findings.

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