Residents return to Burnaby apartment building after massive fire believed arson

Some, but not all, residents are being allowed to return home Wednesday after a massive apartment fire in Burnaby sent two people to hospital and displaced roughly 100 others Tuesday morning.

The Burnaby Fire Department tells 1130 NewsRadio its crews were called to a U-shaped, three-storey walk-up apartment building near Kingsway and Jersey Street, right across from Central Park, around 12:30 a.m.

Two people were sent to hospital and Assistant Chief Gavin Summers estimated “at least 100” people were displaced from their homes.

Surveillance footage obtained by CityNews shows two people at the entranceway of the building, setting something down right before the fire ignited.

On Tuesday, the Burnaby RCMP said it was canvassing the area for witnesses and investigating the fire as a “possible arson.” 

Now, Corp. Mike Kalanj says Mounties are “definitely investigating this as an arson.” Police are looking to find the owner of a Tesla who they believe has vital information about the incident.

On Wednesday, crews were still on site, assessing the damage. One section of the complex was completely destroyed by the fire, with a portion of the roof caved in and multiple units scorched.

Some residents have been allowed to return, while others have not been so fortunate.

“I’m just hoping for this to be over so that we can all move on, and hopefully there is a home for us to come back to,” a resident named Anna told 1130 NewsRadio.

She says she’s hoping to find out how much of her home was damaged.

The City of Burnaby says 68 residents have reached out for help and will be provided lodging through B.C. Emergency Support Services.

—With files from Charlie Carey and Cecilia Hua