Massive Vancouver blaze that likely caused crane collapse is contained: Fire service

A fire in Vancouver destroyed an apartment building under construction, damaged nine other nearby homes and involved the collapse of a construction crane, the city's fire department said.

The flames in the city's Dunbar neighbourhood broke out at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Vancouver Fire Rescue Service said burning embers set off the additional fires, forcing people out of their homes and creating "excessive smoke" in the area of southwest Vancouver. 

Keith Stewart, the department's assistant chief, said in an interview that two of the nine homes have been left uninhabitable, while the rest suffered minor damage.

A statement from the department said roads in the area remain closed to traffic and the crane will take time to clear. 

"There are currently no active fires. Firefighters continue to remain on-site to monitor remaining hot spots," the statement said. 

Video posted on social media while the fire was raging shows the crane toppling as a column of thick, black smoke billowed into the sky.

It was the second major fire in Vancouver on Tuesday, after flames broke out at a vacant apartment building that is slated for demolition. The service said the fire along East 10th Avenue began at about 4:30 p.m., and the city's chief building official has ordered the building to be torn down with work starting in the coming days.

This is the 2nd LARGE fire tonight in Vancouver.

FFs are working extremely hard to protect neighbouring structures

Multiple fires at the same time from embers@VanFireRescue @IAFF18

We have crews on scene from @BurnabyFireDept @iaff1286 #RichmondFire assisting our efforts https://t.co/kUWBh3Os71

— Karen Fry (@Karen_Fry) August 7, 2024

Mayor Ken Sim said during an unrelated news conference that the two fires around the same time stretched the department's resources "incredibly thin."

He said his heart goes out to all those who are affected by the fire. 

A huge thank you to Chief @Karen_Fry and @VanFireRescue for their swift and brave action last night in Dunbar-Southlands. I am incredibly grateful that everyone is safe.

Big shoutout to @VancouverPD and all the first responders and organizations that rallied together in our… pic.twitter.com/MJpX184VDB

— Mayor Ken Sim (@KenSimCity) August 7, 2024

Thank you to Vancouver fire crews and first responders who worked hard to keep people safe and protect homes after two large fire calls yesterday.

— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) August 7, 2024

Stewart said the cause of the fire at the Dunbar site and the circumstances that led to the crane collapsing are under investigation.

A couple of firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blazes, he said.

A statement from the fire service said residents around the fire aren't yet allowed to return to their homes.

The City of Vancouver has directed displaced residents to Crofton House School at 3200 West 41st Ave., saying city staff were on site to provide assistance.

People outside that block of houses have been allowed to return home, though the fire service said BC Hydro was still working to restore power to some customers.

The statement from the service continued to advise that people with underlying breathing conditions find a safe indoor space.