Early morning Kitsilano fire critically injures 4, displaces nearly 40 people

Eight people were injured, four critically, in an early morning fire at a BC Housing building in the Kitsilano neighbourhood Wednesday.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services crews received calls about an apartment suite on fire on West 7th Avenue near Maple Street around 2:30 a.m.

When crews arrived, they found a number of suites engulfed by flames.

“First crews on scene found a suite on the second floor that was fully involved and had already transitioned to the third floor through an open window,” explained Trevor Connelly, deputy chief of operations, VFRS.

“Crews were able to quickly get the fire under control and then get inside and extinguish the fire.”

Multiple residents were trapped on their balconies and had to be rescued by firefighters, VFRS earlier said. Connelly says many of the residents in this building were elderly with mobility challenges.

“There were some dramatic rescues that did take place. Once the fire was out, there was such a significant amount of smoke and heated gas within the structure that the tenants were not able to exit their suites on their own. So once the fire was out, crews quickly shifted and went into rescue mode to get those occupants out of their suites,” he explained.

BC Emergency Health Services says online that eight ambulances responded to the fire. Four people sustained serious injuries in the blaze and were taken to hospital in critical condition. Another four were taken to hospital in stable condition.

VFRS said two people remained in serious condition, as of 10 a.m. An elderly man — the occupant of the suite where the fire started — suffered smoke inhalation and second- and third-degree burns.

The fire damaged at least four or five suites, however, almost 40 people will be without their homes while crews assess the situation, VFRS says.

“We’ve had extensive damage to the fire suite of origin, as well as the fire above. A second suite on the second floor also suffered serious damage. Unfortunately, the door to the suite was left open into the hallway and the fire spread significantly into the second-floor hallway,” Connelly told reporters.

“This entire building will be out of commission for some time. It’s not habitable at this time — gas is shut off, power is shut off, and there’s some significant smoke and water damage to the entire building.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation. However, Connelly confirms reports that the occupant of the suite where the fire started is believed to be a smoker.

“The occupant of the fire suite, it appears that the fire started on the couch and that occupant tried to remove that couch to the balcony. He was somewhat successful in doing that and then retreated to the bedroom and then exited and either lowered himself or jumped out of the second-storey down to the ground. So, fire crews found that person on the ground,” he said.

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In a statement, the City of Vancouver said that as of 8 a.m., 20 of 38 people displaced had registered with the Vancouver Emergency Management Agency and will be provided short-term accommodation, food, clothing and other needs.

“VEMA continues to work with the property owner, BC Housing, to contact remaining residents and assess their needs,” the city said.

“A full investigation will take place to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as this investigation proceeds.”

Connelly says residents will be allowed to retrieve belongings if and once it is deemed safe to do so.

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