Massive third-alarm fire destroys East Vancouver thrift store
A popular thrift store was destroyed and several people were displaced when a massive-third alarm fire broke out in East Vancouver.
The blaze broke out late Wednesday night at the Value Village on East Hastings Street near Victoria Drive.
The flames and heat were so intense that members of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services were still putting out hotspots Thursday morning.
VFRS says the fire was already out of control by the time firefighters arrived, tearing through the building in minutes.
“The amount of fuel that would have been in the store, it generated a lot of heat very quickly,” said Brad Hesse, assistant chief of operations for VFRS.
Bright orange flames shot into the sky with thick plumes of smoke consuming the neighbourhood.
The grey haze could be seen from as far as the North Shore.
“You could feel the heat and when the glass exploded, it was like a boom. Very loud sonic boom,” said Clark who works nearby.
“The flames were higher than the building, at least 30 feet higher than the building. It was fully engulfed,” he described.
The 911 call came in around 10 p.m. when the store was still open, but officials believe everyone got out safely.
“At this time, there's no record of anyone missing. To the best of our knowledge, everyone was evacuated safely and we have no reports of injuries at this time,” said Hesse.
Two neighbouring apartment buildings had to be evacuated of about half a dozen people.
“There was smoke in some suites and a bit of water damage to some of the suites,” explained Heese.
VFRS says they’ll be able to return home Thursday night.
The fire triggered a massive response with nine trucks and nearly 50 firefighters on scene.
“Crews did a fantastic job of keeping the fire contained to just that one building, considering when they arrived, the amount of heat and flames that were coming out of that structure,” said Hesse.
Smoke remained an issue Thursday morning.
Officials urged people to avoid the area if possible and told residents to be cautious.
“I suggest always closing up windows, turning off any kind of air conditioning or heating units that might be pulling in air from outside,” said Hesse.
Due to the intensity of the fire and the fact that the building was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived, officials are unsure what started the fire.
“At the time, I don't have any information as to whether or not it was suspicious,” said Hesse.
That will be up to the fire investigator to determine once the hotspots are out.
East Hasting is closed eastbound between Commercial and Victoria drives while crews complete their work.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.