Businesses were destroyed, people were displaced and a firefighter was sent to the hospital after a major fire in Vancouver Sunday night, Oct. 1.
The call came in to Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) around 10 p.m. for a fire in Kerrisdale Asst. Chief Keith Stewart tells V.I.A.
Crews arrived on the scene of the fire to find smoke and flames at the back of several buildings in the 2000 block of West 41st. Avenue near the intersection with West Boulevard. In total 55 VFRS members were on the scene.
Firefighters were able to evacuate several people from the residences above the businesses and attacked the flames, but not before they severely damaged several buildings.
Stewart says four businesses were destroyed in the fire and a fifth was badly damaged.
At the same time, he notes two firefighters were injured while responding to the incident. One was sent home with minor injuries, while the second was sent to the hospital. He has since been released Stewart adds.
"With the extent of the fire damage were not sure where the fire started and what the cause was," he says.
Investigators are on site, but it may take some time to determine the ignition point and cause.
Of the four units evacuated, people from two units were able to go to family or friends places, while three other people have been totally displaced.
The businesses affected are Nando's at 2064 W 41st Ave, Deer Island Bakery at 2068 W41st Ave, Yummy Yogurt at 2070 W 41st Ave, Sandy Farm Market at 2072 W 41st Ave, and Pho Tan Vietnamese Restaurant Beef Noodle Soup & Bubble Tea at 2076 W 41st Ave.
West 41st remained blocked through Monday, as fire crews waited for an excavator to arrive to knock down the destroyed buildings.
Multiple structures involved. pic.twitter.com/QOQmeHdsDl
— Karen Fry (@Karen_Fry) October 2, 2023
With additional reporting by Lindsay William-Ross
