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. 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