A fire that started in a seventh-floor suite of a Burnaby high-rise tower resulted in two people being rushed to hospital with extensive burn injuries Monday night.
Two people were inside a suite in a building at McMurray Avenue and Grange Street when fire broke out shortly after 9 p.m.
They were able to escape on their own, but suffered second and third-degree burns to their upper body and torso.
One of the victims is in critical condition at VGH and the other is listed in serious condition.
Fire crews called a second alarm to bring more help to the scene and make sure the fire didn't spread.
"Upon arrival we had heavy fire and smoke emanating from the seventh floor. Fire crews went up and they had a tough challenge to fight up there. They went into offensive mode, knocking down the fire," said Assistant Chief Gavin Summers of the Burnaby Fire Department.
Flames gutted the suite where the fire started and there is some water damage to several suites below.
The entire building was evacuated as a precaution but most of the residents have been allowed back home.
Investigators say the fire doesn't appear suspicious, and may have been caused by an electrical issue related to some kind of equipment in the bedroom, an official said.
The unit where the fire started was completely destroyed, but the building's concrete construction and the crews' extensive training in high-rise firefighting kept the flames from spreading. The majority of residents in the building have been allowed back home.
With a report from CTV Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim and Shannon Paterson
