North Vancouver high-rise fire causes water damage, could displace residents: fire service

Fire crews say a blaze at a residential high-rise in North Vancouver on Monday has caused some water damage and could displace some residents in the building.

The Assistant Fire Chief at the District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Ryan Stewart tells 1130 NewsRadio that the fire started around 1:30 p.m. at a unit on the 18th floor of the International Plaza high-rise at the intersection of Marine Drive and Capilano Road.

Stewart says because the first unit pulling out of the fire station saw that the flames were visible and significant, they ended up having to call a “North Shore fire call,” to bring in fire crews from neighbouring cities.

“Upon arrival to the unit, they had to (perform) an aggressive fire attack, loading all of their fire equipment supplies and hike up to the 18th floor, force entry to the unit and attack the fire,” he said.

Stewart says the unit of origin sustained “significant damage” to it.

“There’s some small fire damage into the hallway, and then it’s water damage… There’s standing water on the eighteenth floor and water flowing down to the units below,” he said.

The assistant fire chief says several crew members were going up and down the stairs bringing air bottles, and other equipment.

According to Stewart crews were able to knock down the fire “fairly quickly.” However, he says unfortunately the fire could create displacement for some residents, and there was significant water damage in the building.

He says he wasn’t aware of any injuries.

In an email statement to 1130 NewsRadio, BC Emergency Health Services (EHS) says three ambulances with primary car paramedics were sent to the

“Paramedics did not transport any patients to hospital,” it said.

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-With files from Angelyna Mintz.