An overnight fire has destroyed six businesses on a busy Kerrisdale commercial strip.
The fire broke out June 22 at about 8 p.m. on 41st Avenue between Maple Street and East Boulevard. It quickly spread, engulfing six businesses. No one was injured but the businesses suffered extensive damage.
VIDEO from the scene of the major fire overnight in #Kerrsidale on W 41st Ave at Maple St https://t.co/P1e3vQj3cn @VanFireRescue
— Van Fire Fighters (@IAFF18) June 23, 2017
As smoke clung in the air on Friday morning, firefighters helped remove large sewing machines from Tam’s Custom Tailor, one of the businesses destroyed. Also affected were, Image Hair Design, On The Go Fashion, MagiCream Ice Cream Lab, Petite C Nail & Lash Salon and Papa John’s Pizza. An apartment above Tam’s Custom Tailor also suffered serious damage.
few more photos from the scene of tonight's massive fire in #Kerrisdale @VanFireRescue pic.twitter.com/iBMi6zL8sV
— Van Fire Fighters (@IAFF18) June 23, 2017
“I’ve been there for 17 years,” said Marcus Stiller, who owns Fish Café, one of the adjacent businesses. “I know all these people. It’s devastating.
“It’s difficult for them,” he said of his fellow business owners. “I know what it takes to run a small business… Just to lose it all in 10 or 12 hours.”
Sad to see these businesses go up in flames. Was in that building earlier today! @NEWS1130Traffic @CTVVancouver @CBCTraffic #Kerrisdale pic.twitter.com/dg4JROh3Ab
— Jonathan King (@jon_king87) June 23, 2017
Stiller said he got a call from his staff at around 8 p.m. saying the café was filling up with smoke. He said at first he didn’t think much of it, that firefighters would come and it would be out quickly, but a call from his son prompted him to head to the area. He said he arrived at around 10 p.m. and ended up staying until 1 a.m. and returned again hours later to check on things. Stiller said his business was not damaged.
“It was unbelievable,” he said Friday morning. “They had the whole street closed off. They were just pounding water down. I’m still shocked to see how it’s smoking this morning.”
At its height, about 50 firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, which continued to smoulder well into Friday morning. Even more than 12 hours after it started, the fire continued to flare up with firefighters springing into action to douse the flames.
Assistant fire Chief Ray Bryant noted it was a difficult fire to fight as it spread into the roof of the building.
While the investigation is still in its early stages, Bryant said investigators were focussing on a narrow opening between the two affected buildings. The remains of a charred tree in the opening could be seen from the back alley. He said it’s too early to determine a cause, or if the fire was deliberately set, but added that it’s believed the fire started on the exterior of the building.
“That’s a lot of damage,” Bryant said. “It’s expensive.”
The building was being demolished Friday afternoon.
