VANCOUVER - A body has been found in the ruins of the Winters Hotel in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood, according to the fire department.
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services says in a news release that the body was located during demolition of the low-income hotel, destroyed by a blaze on April 11.
In the days after the fire, the property manager had said it was believed all residents had escaped.
The statement from the fire department, which does not identify the victim, says demolition will resume once the BC Coroners Service gives the all-clear.
Vancouver fire says the blaze was accidental, and it was started on the second floor of the building by unattended candles.
Five people were also hurt in the blaze, including one who the fire chief said jumped from an upper-floor window to escape.
The department said that when crews first arrived on the scene, it was too dangerous to allow them where the blaze originated, so it could not be determined if the hotel was empty.
"Typically in a fire, firefighters conduct a primary and secondary search for occupants," the release said.
"Given the 203 Abbott St. fire was a defensive attack, firefighters performed a primary search, exited the building and fought the fire from outside."
BC Housing said this week that permanent homes had been found for all 70 residents displaced by the fire.
Tenants began moving into the Tawow building this week and B.C. Housing said their rents would not change.
