VANCOUVER — Dozens of people were displaced Saturday by a two-alarm fire in a downtown Vancouver social housing complex, but most were expected to return later that evening.
The blaze broke out at about 1:30 p.m. on the top floor of the Regal Place Hotel at 144 West Hastings Street, which provides housing to people trying to overcome substance dependency.
Portland Hotel Society housing director Andy Bond said the building was fully evacuated, displacing 38 people, but that staff quickly set up cots, food and coffee at the nearby Woodward's Building.
"Overall, people are getting anxious to get back in," he said on Saturday afternoon. "We have a nice warm place where people are getting some food and coffee."
The society, which manages the building, has found accommodations for all those affected within its housing network. But Bond said most residents would likely return Saturday evening.
He said when the fire broke out a staff member ran through the building, banging on all the doors to make sure everyone left quickly. Bond said it wasn't clear how many people were inside at the time, but no one was injured.
"I'm just really happy that everybody is OK, and really thankful that (the staff member) was here and able to make sure that people got out safely, because it was a serious fire."
Bad day in #Gastown. Fire took out top two floors of building. #Vancouver @VancityBuzz @cbcnewsbc @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/AKwmZWnjQJ
— Jeet Samra (@GSRJeet) December 19, 2015
Vancouver Fire Deputy Chief Tyler Moore confirmed no one was hurt. One unit had extensive fire damage and the entire floor where the fire broke out had fire and water damage, he said.
He said thirty-seven Vancouver Fire staff members raced to the scene as flames and smoke billowed from the building on Saturday afternoon.
Moore said crews made entry and knocked down the fire before conducting overhaul and a secondary search of the building.
He said the blaze was designated as a two-alarm fire because of its location at the top of a high building and the resources required to tackle it.
He said investigators were working with the Vancouver Police to determine the cause of the fire.
Vancouver Police Const. Brian Montague said officers would assist where needed unless the blaze is deemed suspicious.
The Regal Place Hotel is a supported social housing complex owned by Metro Vancouver Housing and managed by the Portland Hotel Society, according to its website.
The complex provides 39 units of housing, primarily to members of the Downtown Eastside community who are taking steps away from active drug use.
