Vancouver's famed Smilin' Buddha Cabaret has been badly damaged in what authorities are calling a "suspicious" fire.
Fire crews were called out around 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20, to 109 E Hastings St. where they found smoke coming from the building, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) spokesperson Matthew Trudeau tells V.I.A.
"Crews got access and found heavy smoke inside," says Trudeau. "They found out there was a fully involved dumpster at the back of the structure."
"Crews put out the dumpster fire, but the fire had progressed up the back of the building into the wall roof area."
Firefighters were quickly able to stop the fire from progressing Trudeau says, but it's unclear how badly damaged the currently vacant building is. However, it's not being fenced off as there are no concerns that it might collapse.
Nearby buildings don't appear to have been damaged, he adds.
It appears the fire in the dumpster was intentionally set, he adds.
"It seems like somebody poured gasoline on or around the dumpster and ignited it," Trudeau says.
He notes it's been warm lately and fires for heat aren't needed.
When asked by V.I.A. if considers the incident a potential arson the VPD confirmed it's investigating.
"Yes, we are investigating as it looks like the cause of the fire was suspicious," stated Const. Tania Visintin.
The Smilin' Buddha has existed in one form or another since 1952. In the 1960s, the likes of Tina Turner and Jimi Hendrix played there, while more recently it became a staple of the indie and punk scenes.
Busy Weekend
It was a busy weekend for firefighters, Trudeau notes, with dozens of calls for fires.
Just over Sunday and Monday morning firefighters attended three fires at SROs, multiple brush fires, and a car fire, among other incidents.
One of the brush fires near Terminal Avenue and Glen Drive grew to 40 m by 40 m Trudeau says.
Crews were also called after reports someone set a porta-potty alight at 2:40 a.m. Monday morning.
In another case, a cigarette discarded into a planter caught fire; Trudeau has cautioned about this in the past. Habitually people may use a planter to put out a cigarette since typically the dirt is damp, but in the drought conditions Vancouver faces right now any vegetation is at risk of catching fire, and cigarettes can smoulder, lighting roots on fire well after the cigarette is usually out.
"Do what you can around your house to limit combustibles like vegetation against your house," Trudeau suggests, adding people should consider spring cleaning efforts in the middle of summer to reduce the fire risk in their neighbourhood.
