Fire at SRO in Vancouver's Gastown 2nd in days; building will likely be demolished
CTV
It's believed everyone living in a single-room occupancy hotel has been accounted for following what was the second fire in the building in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood in a matter of days.
It's believed everyone living in a single-room occupancy hotel has been accounted for following what was the second fire in the building in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood in a matter of days.
Vancouver's mayor and fire chief gave an update about the blaze that broke out Monday at the Winters Hotel, a four-storey Abbott Street heritage building. Sixty firefighters were called to the four-alarm fire, which took about 12 hours to extinguish.
Dozens of people living in the SRO were displaced and six businesses in the building were impacted. Seven businesses in other buildings are being affected by road closures.
Calling it a "devastating fire," Mayor Kennedy Stewart said during the update the building had "extensive damage" and would be most likely require demolition.
Stewart said Abbott Street remained closed as of Tuesday and fences were being set up to contain the collapse area if the building is torn down.
"This has been an all-hands-on-deck situation and I'm extremely proud of the city's response," Stewart said.
Fire Chief Karen Fry said during the update the flames were "quite spectacular."
