A massive fire in East Vancouver has closed East Hastings Street between Nanaimo and Lakewood Streets on Wednesday morning.
According to Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, shortly after 4 a.m., crews were able to put out the first fire at a business on the south side of the street, before it expanded and reignited.
The fire spread to a neighbouring mixed-use building, where seven residents were evacuated. No injuries have been reported. “We’re operating at a third alarm fire because of the number of structures involved, and we still have heavy smoke, and we have flames coming from the structure,” public information officer Capt. Matthew Trudeau told 1130 NewsRadio.
Thick black and grey smoke was billowing into the air, with the smell travelling across much of Vancouver. Crews managed to knock down the fire by around 9 a.m.
“We do have fire investigators on scene since early this morning, and they’re gonna be collecting details and getting information as this fire progresses,” Trudeau explained. “We’ll be looking into which area, which business it started from, and how it spreads up and inwards to the building.”
A restaurant — The Indian Chefs Kitchen and Bar, a butcher — Windsor Meats, and a shoe store — Wohlford & Co., have been impacted by the fire. Other nearby businesses, including a pharmacy, may have been damaged by smoke and water.
VFRS is urging people to stay away from the area, as crews, including 35 to 40 firefighters, continue to put out hot spots. Nicole, the co-owner of Shop Woven, tells 1130 NewsRadio that the building that houses her store has been structurally damaged. “I’ll probably have to move,” she said. “I’m glad nobody was hurt. It’s just bad for the community to see more businesses go and people be displaced. It’s just really unfortunate.”
Her business, which she owns and runs with her husband, sells clothing to film productions and to the public through private appointments. “Vintage, pre-loved, luxury goods. We’ll see what’s happening in there once we get in there, and how bad it is if everything is smoke-damaged,” Nicole explained.
“We’re going to be here for some time still, because we still have heavy smoke that can be seen in a lot of parts of the city,” Trudeau said. “We need the public to stay away at this time so we can do our job. … We have a large scene right now with a lot of water, a lot of trucks out,” Assistant Fire Chief Keith Stewart added.
VFRS says it received “multiple” calls about the smoke from across the city. “Keep windows and doors closed if possible. If you see fire/smoke or your alarm goes off, call 911.”
Part of East Hastings Street was closed Wednesday morning as firefighters battled a fire at three Vancouver businesses. Matt Trudeau, public information officer for the Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, said the third-alarm fire in the 2200 block of East Hastings Street at Nanaimo Street broke out at about 4 a.m.
Heavy smoke filled the air Wednesday morning but shortly after 8 a.m. Trudeau said firefighters had a handle on the fire. He said no one was inside the businesses, which include Indian Chefs Kitchen and Bar, Windsor Meat and Wohlford & Company, formerly Dayton Boots. Trudeau said all three sustained fire and water damage.
Trudeau said there have been no reports of injuries. Fire officials do not yet know how the fire started or at which business. East Hastings is closed in both directions from Nanaimo Street to Lakewood Drive. Fire officials asked people to expect significant delays in the area.
Assistant fire chief Keith Stewart said more than 40 firefighters battled the fire. Photos posted by the department on social media show a large plume of dark smoke billowing upward and firefighters, some laying on the ground, aiming hoses at the smoke.
In a social media post, the department said it had been getting calls about the smell of smoke from across the city and is advising people to keep their windows and doors closed if possible.
Dozens of firefighters responded to an early morning fire in East Vancouver Wednesday that has affected multiple businesses. Matthew Trudeau, public information officer with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, said crews arrived just after 4 a.m. to a "quickly progressive fire," located on the 2200 block of East Hastings Street, with visible flames and heavy smoke.
He told CBC News around 8 a.m. crews were still working to extinguish the fire. "It's really hard getting water access inside through the roof," he said.
Trudeau said the blaze quickly spread to other structures, which he described as "older wood structures," affecting the Windsor Meats butcher shop, Indian Chef's Kitchen restaurant, and retailer Wohlford & Company.
Trudeau said no one was in the businesses at the time of the fire and no injuries have been reported, but about seven people have been evacuated from an additional nearby building as a precaution.
Trudeau said firefighters will likely be on scene and Hastings Street will be shut down from Nanaimo Street to Lakewood Drive for several hours. He said fire investigators are on scene to determine where the fire started and the cause.
Trudeau said the fire department received calls Wednesday morning about smoke around the city, extending as far as Fairview. "We've got a very dense smoke that's unfortunately going down and resting into low-lying areas into the city," said Trudeau.
He said those who smell smoke should keep their doors and windows closed and shut down ventilation systems if possible.
One of the businesses affected is the historic Wohlford & Company, formerly known as Dayton Boots, which has operated its factory store since 1946. "This is my life," said owner Hall Risk Wednesday morning. "It's pretty much gone."
Risk said he could smell smoke this morning from his home in Fairview. "I don't know where we go from here. It's a nightmare."
