Skip to content

Vancouver fire investigation determines blaze may have been 'intentionally set'

VANCOUVER — Police say a fire that burned two businesses in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday may have been intentionally set. Spokesman Sgt.
453b0b05b3e7611c711f0ed62c2d91c6b04cabd10c6737551aba6123908454de
Firefighters are shown fighting a large blaze in Vancouver in this April 23, 2025 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — Twitter, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services **MANDATORY CREDIT**

VANCOUVER — Police say a fire that burned two businesses in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday may have been intentionally set.

Spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison says in a statement that information received by the fire department has prompted a criminal investigation.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said crews responded just after 4 a.m. to the 2200 block of East Hastings Street in East Vancouver.

It said in a news release that firefighters worked for about nine hours to extinguish the blaze, which sent smoke across the city.

The firefighters said there were no injuries as the businesses were closed at the time and no one was inside the buildings.

The fire department had said in the news release Thursday that investigators were at the scene and were working to determine the cause.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.

The Canadian Press