An aggressive fire claimed a life and gutted an apartment building in North Vancouver on Tuesday morning.
The fire broke out at Silverlynn Apartments, an apartment complex for seniors along the 1300 block of 27th Street.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from a suite on the third floor. North Vancouver RCMP officers were already on the scene.
The fire not only claimed one life, but also displaced 70 residents.
“We are very saddened to report that one person has died as a result of the fire,” Sgt. Peter DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP said in a release.
“Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters and other first responders, we are sadly now in the early stages of an investigation, in partnership with BC Coroners Service, into the death of one person.”
DeVries added the investigation will determine if any criminality was involved.
The cause of the fire is unclear at this time, but residents told Global News the patio window of the suite exploded.
“It was very volatile to start,” said Chris Byrom with North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. “So we needed to get in there really quick and get it down, and the crews put out the fire on the outside and then we were able to go inside.”
As the fire was being extinguished, North Shore Emergency Management (NSEM) activated its Emergency Support Services (ESS) program, which provides 72 hours of shelter, clothing and food for those displaced due to fire or other disasters, DeVries explained.
North Vancouver RCMP’s Victim Services/Crisis Intervention Team had also been called to the scene to provide support.
“There are approximately 70 residents who have been displaced,” added DeVries. “North Shore Emergency Management has informed us those residents are currently being registered in the ESS program and will be housed and provided care and support as the afternoon unfolds.”
The identity of the person who died is not being released as the next of kin notification has not been completed.
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