Downtown Eastside fire forces SRO evacuation, crews hope most will be able to return Saturday
Dozens of residents were forced to evacuate a single-room occupancy building in the Downtown Eastside Saturday morning as crews battled a fire in a second-floor unit.
The call came in around 8 a.m. for a fire at 143 Dunlevy Ave., according to Brian Bertuzzi, assistant chief of operations for Vancouver Fire Rescue Service.
When crews first arrived, they found heavy smoke and flame coming from the room where the fire had started, Bertuzzi said, adding that the blaze spread to adjacent units and to the third floor before firefighters were able to extinguish it.
More than 40 firefighters were ultimately called to the scene, according to Bertuzzi.
The assistant chief said approximately 50 to 60 people had evacuated the building, and no injuries had been reported.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, Bertuzzi said, adding that he hoped most residents would be able to return to their homes later in the day.
Residents of five or six affected suites will likely be displaced for longer, he said.
Saturday's fire is the latest one to strike an SRO building in the Downtown Eastside, but several other notable fires have displaced residents this year.
On Sept. 9, crews were called to two fires in the area simultaneously, one on Keefer Street in Chinatown and the other at 6 East Hastings St.
Other blazes have damaged homes, a church and an art gallery, displacing dozens and – in the case of the Winters Hotel fire in April – killing two.
Bertuzzi was asked about the number of fires in the Downtown Eastside this year, at least one of which is suspected to have been arson.
He said it's not yet known whether Saturday's fire was suspicious or accidental.
"It's unfortunate, the amount of fires and displaced occupants down here," Bertuzzi said. "It's been a troubling time for everybody involved to try and find accommodation for the people that have been displaced."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.