NORTH VANCOUVER — Crews from three fire departments on Vancouver’s North Shore are battling a blaze at the Silverlynn Apartment complex in Lynn Valley that began early Saturday morning. Reports of the fire came in just after 9 a.m., and firefighters arrived on the scene within ten minutes, according to Mike Danks, the fire chief with District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.
As the situation developed, Danks reported that the fire has caused significant damage, with half of the structure, which was under renovation and unoccupied, being lost. The flames were so intense that they resulted in partial collapse of the building. “We’ve got a working structure fire, we’re doing our best to reduce the extent of the damage,” Danks stated during a press briefing.
In total, around ten residents were evacuated from the occupied portion of the building, with firefighters conducting rescues from balconies as smoke and flames engulfed the structure. Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities, but three occupants were treated for smoke inhalation by BC Ambulance.
Sara Lawson, a local resident who witnessed the fire, described the scene as alarming. “I saw a ton of ambulances and fire trucks. I had a mild panic attack thinking it was my house,” she recalled. Upon arriving home from her daughter’s softball game, she noticed the “massive fire” at the apartment building. “The flames were crazy,” she said. “The flames were coming out from the top [of the building]. We could see part of the apartment collapsed.”
The thick black smoke was so overwhelming that it led to the evacuation of a nearby softball game, further highlighting the fire's intensity. Lawson noted that renovations had been ongoing at Silverlynn for months, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. “Due to the stage it was at, it was all framing, that leads to rapid fire spread,” Danks explained.
North Shore Emergency Management has set up a reception centre for displaced residents at a nearby church, Westlynn Baptist Church, located at 1341 27th Street. Ryan Schaap, a spokesperson for the District of North Vancouver, confirmed that emergency support services are on-site to assist those affected.
Mayor Mike Little also addressed the situation, stating, “All of our services are activated and attending to the evacuated residents. We are still waiting for a full assessment of the residents’ condition, as many were dispersed when crews arrived.” He emphasized that it would take several hours for the fire to be fully extinguished and urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate effectively.
The response from the fire departments has been coordinated, with crews from District of North Vancouver, North Vancouver City, and West Vancouver all working together to control the blaze. Danks noted the fast response has helped to reduce the extent of the damage, although a significant portion of the building has collapsed.
As of now, around four to six units within the occupied section are still to be searched for any remaining residents. The fire chief confirmed that the situation is still active, and updates will continue to be provided as more information becomes available.
Witnesses like Lawson are left shaken by the event. “I just can’t believe it happened so close to home,” she remarked, reflecting on the chaotic scene. The community is coming together to support those displaced, with local organizations stepping in to provide assistance.
Firefighters continue to battle the flames, and the full extent of the damage will be assessed once the fire is completely under control. The community is urged to stay clear of the area as emergency services work to ensure safety and manage the aftermath of this significant incident.
As the situation unfolds, residents are left hoping for the best for their neighbors and the firefighters who are risking their lives to contain the fire. The Silverlynn Apartments, a place many called home, now stands as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of disaster.
