This week, firefighters responded to a fire in an east Vancouver building where 70 residents were displaced after a blaze earlier this summer.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) Deputy Fire Chief Ron Renning said fencing was placed around the perimeter of the vacant building located at 414 E 10th Ave. since it had been evacuated following a destructive blaze that broke out on July 28.
The VFRS responded to a call about a second fire at the building on Wednesday, Sept. 13.
"My understanding is that the fencing was breached and squatters within the building started the fire accidentally," he told V.I.A., adding that the building likely has an order on it from the City’s Chief Building Official that it "should not be populated at this time."
While the VFRS initially gave a "first alarm" response to the blaze, it was extinguished quickly since it "turned out to be a small fire."
The VFRS issued an order following the blaze to provide a 24-hour exterior fire watch and to ensure the building was secure from unauthorized entry.
Destructive fire displaces 70 residents in East Vancouver
In July, a three-alarm fire spurred the evacuation of all 40 units from the East Vancouver apartment building. Firefighters battled the blaze through the night and into the wee hours of the morning since they were unable to access the building's upper level after the roof caved in.
There was extensive damage to the entire building from the fire and smoke, as well as water damage from the fire hoses that were used internally and the ladder trucks.
VFRS Ass. Chief of Operations Jarret Gray said the fire may have smelled particularly bad because of the housing materials used in the building.
