Second alarm fire - 1500 Alberni Street

On Monday, October 21st at 3:52pm, Vancouver Firefighters responded to a fire alarm activation at 1500 Alberni Street. While crews were investigating the alarms, another crew responding to the building saw heavy flames coming from the high-rise residential building at the 20th and 21st floors.  

Firefighters went up 20 storeys to start firefighting and search operations on the affected floors. While the fire was growing, building material and glass were falling from the upper levels onto Nicola Street, igniting hedges and combustibles below.

The floors above the first floor were not sprinklered, which significantly contributed to the heavy and rapid fire spread to upper levels.

As a result of the fire, three units suffered heavy fire and smoke damage and are not habitable. Several units below sustained water damage from firefighting efforts and teams are on scene to assist in returning as many residents to their homes as possible. No injuries reported. The fire remains under investigation.