One man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a residential fire in Vancouver.
The fire occurred just before 5 a.m. on Monday, May 29; firefighters were called to the scene after reports of a fire in a residential building on the 600-block of East 6th Avenue in Mount Pleasant.
"Upon arrival, firefighters found a male occupant of the building with serious burn injuries located outside of a unit which had a fire," says Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) spokesperson Matthew Trudeau in a press release.
According to the VFRS the fire started when an open flame ignited nearby combustible material. Fire alarms didn't go off, but the sprinkler system did and contained the fire.
VFRS doused the fire and treated the 34-year-old man, who was taken to the hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.
The fire department has spoken recently about an increase in fires lately and fires in residential areas. Two common fire sources lately have been discarded smoking materials and cooking.
Due to dryness lately, fires on balconies and in backyards have occurred as normally moist plants where people sometimes put out smoking material have dried up.
Smoke alarms remain one of the most important safety devices for your home. Please ensure they are: on each level & outside each sleeping area, and working.
— Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (@VanFireRescue) May 30, 2023
They are affordable, easy to maintain and can save your life in case of a fire. pic.twitter.com/crD1F9Sl4L
