One person was killed and roughly a dozen others injured in a fire at a Richmond, B.C., apartment building early Saturday morning.
The fire started at around 1:45 a.m. at a building in the 8500-block of Westminster Highway, quickly spreading throughout the three-storey structure and forcing the evacuation of two neighbouring buildings.
City of Richmond spokesman Ted Townsend said 33 firefighters were deployed, but the massive blaze took several hours to contain.
"It was fully involved by the time we got there, the fire crews had to basically fight it from the perimeter," he said. "The damage is very extensive."
Ten paramedics were on hand to treat residents for various injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns.
The deceased's name has not been released.
After the burning building was cleared out, authorities evacuated two adjoining buildings as a safety measure. About 100 residents in total were taken to an emergency reception centre at the Hilton Hotel.
Though the fire was completely extinguished by Saturday afternoon, residents of the adjoining buildings will not be allowed to return home until Sunday at the earliest.
"I would hope as early as tomorrow we'll be able to send them home," Townsend said. "Residents of the damaged building obviously may be out for a greater period of time."
The cause of the blaze has not been determined. Firefighters hope to stabilize the site on Saturday so investigators can move in and begin an official probe.
All displaced residents will be covered for 72 hours by the Provincial Emergency Plan. After that, they will be forced to find their own accommodations.
