Vancouver man, 34, dies in hospital days after apartment fire
A 34-year-old man that was seriously injured in a fire that broke out in a Vancouver apartment earlier this week has died, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The man was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital around 5 p.m. on Monday, after firefighters responded to a call at 600 East 6th Ave. in Mount Pleasant, according to Vancouver Fire Rescue Services.
“Upon arrival, firefighters found a male occupant of the building with serious burn injuries located outside of a unit which had a fire,” VFRS spokesperson Matthew Trudeau wrote in a statement.
The man died late Wednesday morning at Vancouver General Hospital, Trudeau confirmed by email.
VFRS said in a statement that the fire was caused by open flames, which “ignited combustibles and caused burn injures.”
Speaking to CTV News by phone Wednesday, Trudeau said the fire appeared to be mostly on clothing and bedding inside one unit.
“In buildings where we see lower income and more prevalent drug use, there seems to be a lot more disorder in the units,” Trudeau said, adding it’s believed the man was using drugs prior to the fire.
It broke out at Carolina Court, a building operated by BC Housing that is intended for low-income individuals and families.
Trudeau says he’s heard rumours that the deceased man was actually in his 50s, but says the fire chief on scene was told the victim was 34 years old.
He says two other individuals were around the unit at the time, and can’t confirm whether the man may have been using drugs alone.
Trudeau says most of the flames were doused by a working sprinkler system, and crews on scene dealt with remaining smouldering materials.
Smoke alarms in the unit were not functional at the time, according to the VFRS.
When asked about the smoke alarm, BC Housing told CTV News that the system was removed from the unit “without our knowledge or approval” prior to the fire.
In addition, the Crown corporation says the individual who died was not a registered tenant.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of all involved, the residents of Carolina Court, and the frontline staff members and first responders who have worked hard to support all involved,” BC Housing wrote in a statement Wednesday.
Earlier this year, the organization launched a “Fire Reduction Working Group,” in order to address concerns over fire events at single-room-occupancy buildings and other projects, implement preventative measures and develop better response plans for staff.
BC Housing says the group is still in the information gathering and research stage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.