VANCOUVER - Emergency crews were on scene in Vancouver where a rooftop parking lot has collapsed into office space below, sending at least two people to hospital.
Asst. Chief Dan Moberg of Vancouver Fire Rescue says structural supports are being set up so crews can start removing debris and searching the building for others.
One person remains unaccounted for says Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry.
Our @VanFireRescue @CANTF1 crews remain on scene and continue to work hard to find one unaccounted for individual.
— Karen Fry (@Karen_Fry) July 15, 2022
We have specialized heavy equipment and structural collapse expertise doing everything they can.@CityofVancouver https://t.co/In2xtW6SF6
That step had to wait for engineers to assess the damage created when an area of about nine by 12 metres caved in around 1 p.m.
Moberg says construction involving drilling on a section of the parking lot was underway when it collapsed.
The incident had closed Lougheed Highway between Rupert Street and Boundary Road, a major route for traffic.
Emergency Health Services says the two patients were transported to hospital. It did not provide details on their condition.
Moberg says about 30 firefighters attended the scene alongside police, while EHS said four paramedic ground units responded.
Vancouver Police declined to comment, saying it's an unfolding incident with multiple agencies responding and it will provide updates when it has more specific information.
Photo courtesy of Tahmina Aziz/CTV Vancouver