One person has died and 70 residents have been displaced by a fire at a senior housing complex in the Lynn Valley, north of Vancouver.
The fire broke out around 6 a.m. Tuesday. When firefighters arrived, flames and smoke could be seen from the three-story building.
Police say teams quickly controlled the fire.
“Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters and other lifeguards, unfortunately we are now in the early stages of an investigation, in collaboration with the BC Forensic Service on the death of a person,” the sergeant said. Peter DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP.
A fire that has ravaged Silverlynn Apartments, a three-story senior housing complex in the Lynn Valley, north of Vancouver, has claimed life. (Justine Boulin / CBC News)
Police do not disclose the identity of the victim while informing the family.
On Tuesday afternoon, the North Vancouver RCMP said it was investigating the death to determine if there was any crime. Firefighters have also traveled to begin work to determine the causes of the deadly fire.
Seventy residents of the facility are registered with North Shore Emergency Management, the agency that provides natural disaster and fire support services. The program will organize the hotel and the food for the next 72 hours.
“Right now they’re dealing with some trauma and we’re offering them this informed support about the trauma,” DeVries said.
It is unclear when residents will be able to return home.