Several rescued, 5 hospitalized, some unaccounted for as fire tears through downtown Vancouver building
CTV
Some remain unaccounted for as a fire tears through a mixed-use building in downtown Vancouver, sending at least five to hospital.
Some remain unaccounted for as a fire tears through a mixed-use building in downtown Vancouver, sending at least five to hospital.
Fire Chief Karen Fry said crews were able to rescue "several" occupants of the heritage building in the city's Gastown neighbourhood, but that "upwards of a handful" are still missing.
The fire broke out at the building shortly before 11 a.m. The building on Abbott Street has businesses on the ground floor and low-income residences on the upper levels, and it appears the fire started on one of the residential floors.
A witness told CTV News she saw people jumping to safety from the building in the historic neighbourhood popular with tourists and locals for its bars, restaurants and shops.
It is unclear how many were rescued, but B.C. Emergency Health Services told CTV News that two people were taken to hospital in serious condition, and three others considered "stable" were also transported.
According to Fry, one of those people was injure while jumping from an upper floor. Another was taken to hospital after being rescued about an hour into the fire by firefighters using a ladder truck.
Others were treated at the scene for minor injuries, BCEHS said in an email.
