1 home destroyed, others saved as embers spread from massive Vancouver fire
CTV
Firefighters scrambled to protect more than half a dozen homes that caught fire as a result of the massive blaze that erupted at an under-construction apartment building in Vancouver's Dunbar-Southlands neighbourhood on Tuesday.
Firefighters scrambled to protect more than half a dozen homes that caught fire as a result of the massive blaze that erupted at an under-construction apartment building in Vancouver's Dunbar-Southlands neighbourhood on Tuesday.
Deputy Chief Robert Weeks of the Vancouver Fire Rescue Service said embers drifted onto at least eight nearby properties as crews were battling the flames at a six-storey development on West 41st Avenue.
"We were unfortunately unable to save one of those homes," Weeks told reporters at the scene Tuesday night. "But the other at least seven homes we were able to save."
Weeks credited support from civilians in the area – and crews from neighbouring fire departments in Richmond and Burnaby – for helping to prevent further destruction.
“We thank both those communities for providing that support to us tonight, with this structure fire and other fires we’ve been dealing with in this city,” he said.
Those additional fires include another major blaze at a vacant apartment building on East 10th Avenue – the same property that was gutted by a fire one year ago.
The Dunbar-Southlands blaze broke out around 6:30 p.m., and had engulfed the entire wood-framed apartment development by the time crews arrived on scene.
