At least nine West Vancouver businesses suffered significant damage Sunday night after fire broke out in an Ambleside commercial building.
West Vancouver firefighters raced to the 1300-block of Marine Drive around 10 p.m when numerous witnesses called to report smoke and flames coming from the roof of Tasos restaurant. Crews kept the blaze contained to the kitchen, but eight neighbouring businesses suffered severe water damage, and its not clear if the building is safe, according to West Vancouver assistant fire chief Martin Ernst.
Were not 100 per cent sure whether the floor structure and the roof structure is going to hold up to us or not; wed rather not walk in and fall through, he said. In a day or two, well be letting people in. Were in the process of having a structural expert come in and deem whether the building is structurally sound so we can continue.
Among the water damaged businesses: Verandah Antiques, Zhaleh Hair Salon, and H&R Block.
Westbound traffic on Marine Drive has been shut down in the collapse zone around the building as a precaution, but his department is aiming to have the street reopened by rush hour on Monday.
Thankfully, there were no injuries, though firefighters had to keep their distance from building while battling the blaze.
We initially treated it as an offensive fire (and) went into the building, but there was a lot of electrical arcing from the panels so we pulled our members out and brought B.C. Hydro in, he said.
It appears that the fire started in the kitchen, but there are no apparent clues as to its cause, said Ernst.
Its in shambles in there. Theres so much burned debris; well be sifting through it for days, he said.
The building has been for sale by the City of Vancouver since early in the spring, according to a sign posted on the exterior.
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