Dozens of firefighters responded to an early morning fire in East Vancouver Wednesday that has affected multiple businesses.
Matthew Trudeau, public information officer with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, said crews arrived just after 4 a.m. to a “quickly progressive fire,” located on the 2200 block of East Hastings Street, with visible flames and heavy smoke.
He told CBC News around 8 a.m. crews were still working to extinguish the fire.
“It’s really hard getting water access inside through the roof,” he said.
Trudeau said the blaze quickly spread to other structures, which he described as “older wood structures,” affecting the Windsor Meats butcher shop, Indian Chef’s Kitchen restaurant, and retailer Wohlford & Company.
Trudeau said no one was in the businesses at the time of the fire and no injuries have been reported, but about seven people have been evacuated from an additional nearby building as a precaution.
Trudeau said firefighters will likely be on scene and Hastings Street will be shut down from Nanaimo Street to Lakewood Drive for several hours.
He said fire investigators are on scene to determine where the fire started and the cause.
Smoke in the air
Trudeau said the fire department received calls Wednesday morning about smoke around the city, extending as far as Fairview.
“We’ve got a very dense smoke that’s unfortunately going down and resting into low-lying areas into the city,” said Trudeau.
He said those who smell smoke should keep their doors and windows closed and shut down ventilation systems if possible.
Historic retailer affected
One of the businesses affected is the historic Wohlford & Company, formerly known as Dayton Boots, which has operated its factory store since 1946.
“This is my life,” said owner Hall Risk Wednesday morning. “It’s pretty much gone.”
Risk said he could smell smoke this morning from his home in Fairview.
“I don’t know where we go from here. It’s a nightmare.”
