2 homes 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.
Chief Karen Fry of the Vancouver Fire Rescue Service said embers were continuously drifting onto nearby properties as crews battled the flames at a six-storey development on West 41st Avenue.
Two homes were lost, despite the best efforts of first responders. At least seven others were spared.
"Our emergency personnel responded with everything we had," Fry said at a news conference Wednesday. "We are very fortunate we did not lose that whole block, or even more."
Speaking to reporters at the fire scene Tuesday night, Deputy Chief Robert 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 included another major blaze at a vacant apartment building on East 10th Avenue – the same property that was gutted by a fire one year ago.
