Residents of an East Vancouver extended care facility that were forced from their home after a fire early Sunday morning was the result of arson, according to police.
Nineteen ambulances from multiple municipalities arrived to help move dozens of residents of the Villa Carital on Penticton Street near Grandview Highway, many of whom have mobility issues.
Most residents will be taken to another facility temporarily. Officials say a few will be taken to hospital as a precaution.
Family members were also on scene. The fire was classified as a three-alarm blaze since crews needed help getting people out of the facility.
“Right away we were evacuating residents,” Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Deputy Chief Brian Godlonton said. “The battalion chief did a great job, upgraded very quickly, got the required resources in here for what looks to be a really good save for us here tonight.”
Grandview Highway between Nanaimo and Renfrew streets was closed but has now re-opened to traffic.