Key takeaways:
- On Monday, a burning structure on Abbot Street sent plumes of smoke across the city.
- Units worked to douse a fire in the Gastown location of Vancouver on Monday.
- Drivers have been requested to avoid the site.
At least three people have been injured after a fierce fire in the Gastown site of Vancouver on Monday, according to Vancouver Fire Rescue Services
The blaze broke out at a four-story SRO structure on Abbott Street close to Water Street at about 11 a.m. PT.
Within the hour, orange flames had started shooting through the top of the building.
“We’ve had three individuals hurt; one was transported to the clinic. From what I understand, he jumped out of a window,” Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry told journalists from the scene.
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“We rescued some [people] from the topmost floor of the structure,” she added. The chief said firefighters searched the first two floors before reverting.
“[It’s] very harmful. The structure is 150 years old, and it’s a brick building, so we’re taking every precaution to save our firefighters. We don’t know if there’s anybody [else] in the structure, and we likely won’t know that till we get the fire out,” Fry stated.
Vancouver police are requesting drivers avoid the Gastown location due to the fire, which has sent severe smoke billowing across the city.
“The smoke is hazardous and toxic, so if you are around the smoke, please try and stay away … it’s not suitable for you to be respiring in,” said Fry.
Source – cbc.ca
