Residents in Vancouver’s West Side are still waiting to return to their homes the morning after a fire at a construction site on Tuesday evening spread onto neighboring houses and toppled a crane. Vancouver Emergency Support Services has registered 81 people who were evacuated from their homes due to the fires and subsequent crane collapse. While some residents have returned home, support services are currently housing at least 37 people in hotels as of Wednesday afternoon. The City of Vancouver spokesperson mentioned that not everyone displaced may have registered with the ESS, and more people may require support.
The massive fire broke out in Vancouver’s Dunbar area on Tuesday evening, causing chaos and destruction. Two brothers sprang into action, using buckets and garden hoses to stop the flames from spreading. Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Chief Karen Fry stated at a news conference on Wednesday that the cause of the fire and the crane collapse is still unclear. The six-storey wooden frame of a building under construction caught fire, causing panic among residents in the area.
One resident, 11-year-old Alice Kviselius, was at home with her family when the fire broke out. Her father, Mioi Sawada, made the decision to evacuate their home and help their elderly neighbor escape as well. The heat from the fire was intense, making it uncomfortable for them to stay close to the scene. The crane collapsed into a house, but firefighters were able to rescue one resident through a window.
By Wednesday morning, firefighters were still at the scene ensuring hotspots didn’t reignite the flames. The crane remained on the street, and a section of West 41st Avenue was closed off. Embers from the fire spread to several houses in the area, but firefighters were able to save most homes except for two. Fortunately, no residents were injured, but a couple of firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Residents like Slava Shegai and Mioi Sawada were unable to return home immediately after the fire. They spent the night in hotels and were told it was still unsafe to go back the next day. B.C. Hydro reported power outages due to the crane crashing through power lines, affecting hundreds of customers. The fire in the West Side occurred just hours after another major fire in East Vancouver, stretching the fire department’s resources thin.
In conclusion, the residents affected by the fire in Vancouver’s West Side are facing uncertainty and challenges as they wait to return home. The quick actions of firefighters and the support services provided have been crucial in assisting those displaced by the fire. The cause of the fire and the crane collapse are still under investigation, and residents are urged to stay safe and patient during this difficult time.