BURST
Vancouver fire officials have issued an urgent call for residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms after several students living in a house narrowly escaped a fire last week.
Smoke was reported coming from a house in the 2100-block of West 46th Avenue shortly after 9 a.m. on May 6.
Firefighters saw smoke coming from the roof as they arrived and entered the house to search for occupants.
Investigators say seven students were inside the house unaware that the attic and roof were on fire above them.
“ The house that was fully occupied with students had no smoke alarms to notify occupants of the heavy smoke and fire that was rapidly growing,” said Capt. Matthew Trudeau, a spokesperson for Vancouver Fire and Rescue, in a statement late Wednesday.
A quick call from a neighbour combined with firefighters being based nearby prevented significant harm to lives and property, said Trudeau.
Without the phone call and arrival of firefighters, the lack of smoke alarms and early notification could have ended in serious harm and property damage, he added.
Trudeau said fires grow hotter and faster in modern homes.
“Early warning and notification are critical to alert all occupants inside a building of smoke and fire,” he said. “Having smoke alarms on each level and outside each sleeping area remains a low cost solution to reduce fire risk and injury and are a requirement for all dwellings inside Vancouver.”
Fire officials have not said what caused the fire.