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Marpole apartment fire deemed suspicious

Vancouver police say residents reported hearing fireworks at the time the fire broke out
marpole apartment fire
Vancouver police are now investigating Tuesday’s fire in Marpole as suspicious. Photo Dan Toulgoet

Vancouver police are now investigating Tuesday’s apartment fire that sent one man to hospital with serious injuries as suspicious

“We believe someone out there knows how this fire started,” VPD media relations officer Sgt. Steve Addison said in a press release. “We’re asking them to do the right thing and come forward.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. Monday in the three-storey building near Marine Drive and Heather Street. Most of the residents in the building were asleep at the time and unable to evacuate quickly. Several tenants had to be rescued and two people were taken to hospital with injuries. A 33-year-old man was seriously injured. He remains in hospital.

“This fire caused significant damage, destroyed a number of homes, and put dozens of people in harm’s way,” Addison said.

The fire remains under investigation. However, Addison said, detectives now believe the fire stared outside the building and then quickly spread to the structure. Residents reported hearing fireworks and seeing a group of people walking away from the building at the time of the fire.

Investigators are now looking for any witnesses, video footage or other evidence to help in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s major crimes section at 604-717-2541. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

@JessicaEKerr