Vancouver firefighters swiftly responded to a house explosion in Kitsilano on Monday evening, as per the Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS).
The incident unfolded just before 6 p.m. at a residence located near the corner of MacDonald Street and West 6th Avenue. The explosion originated from the basement of the house, according to firefighters on site.
Assistant Chief Pierre Morin explained, “Initially called for a building collapse, we discovered it was actually an explosion and subsequent fire in the basement.”
After ensuring the safety by shutting off utilities and confirming the stability of the structure, the brave crews entered the premises and successfully extinguished the fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
However, two individuals residing in the building were displaced due to the explosion, Morin confirmed.
Although images from the scene do not reveal visible flames or extensive damage to the property, a total of 36 firefighters were mobilized to handle the situation.
An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the fire. MacDonald Street and West 6th Avenue remain closed as emergency crews continue their work.
“We anticipate another hour of operations,” Morin estimated around 6:20 p.m.