Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Vancouver fire service cites butane torch lighters as fire incidents hit record high

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Aug, 2023 03:06 PM
  • Vancouver fire service cites butane torch lighters as fire incidents hit record high

The Vancouver Fire Rescue Service says the first half of 2023 has been a record-breaking period for fire-related incidents in the city, with alarming numbers of calls involving drug users and butane torches with flame-locking mechanisms. 

Fire information officer Matthew Trudeau says the service responded to 2,113 calls in the first half of the year, the most in the service's history for the same period and a 31 per cent increase compared to the first half of 2022.

The fire service says in a statement that the leading cause of fires remains discarded smoking materials including matches, lighters, candles, cigarettes, and drug paraphernalia, causing nearly 60 per cent of all incidents. 

The fire service says it's also worried about more fires occurring in single-room occupancy buildings, as well as a notable spike in outdoor fires. 

Trudeau says there have been numerous single-room occupancy fires caused by drug users dropping locked butane lighters and setting fire to themselves or their surroundings.

The service says four people have died in fires so far in 2023, three of them involving blazes caused by smokers' materials. 

The fire service also says more than a quarter of all fires have been the result of arson, which it says is part of an upward trend in suspicious fire incidents. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe
The service had tapped a special prosecutor in May to give legal advice on the investigation of Gurveen Dhaliwal, who served as a trustee in New Westminster before being named as an adviser to Health Minister Adrian Dix on May 1. The investigation stemmed from Dhaliwal's presence as a scrutineer during the same election last November in which she was running for a second term.

Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10

Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10
Just before the rains kickstart again in September take advantage of the sunshine and go for a jog or 5K & 10K run and lace up. The road race is taking place on September 10th. The virtual race is gonna take place from Sept 8-Sept 10th, 2023. 

Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10

Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved

Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved
The murdered woman's mother-in-law has told the British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster that her son and the victim had been planning to build a life together in Canada, and her death devastated everyone who knew the young woman.

Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved

New process for multiple offers on a home

New process for multiple offers on a home
In a market that has been characterized by limited properties for sale and multiple bids for those listings, realtors say the new form will "bring comfort" to prospective buyers that their offer was fairly presented.

New process for multiple offers on a home

Workers to rally on day six of B.C. port strike, employer seeks binding arbitration

Workers to rally on day six of B.C. port strike, employer seeks binding arbitration
About 7,400 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have been off the job since Canada Day to back demands for improved wages and provisions against contracting out and automation. The mid-morning demonstration is organized by the union and billed as a solidarity rally, with members reminded that there is pride, strength and commitment in numbers.  

Workers to rally on day six of B.C. port strike, employer seeks binding arbitration

Deadly crash in the Okanagan

Deadly crash in the Okanagan
The B-C Highway Patrol says it's investigating a deadly crash involving a pedestrian in the Okanagan over the Canada Day long weekend.  Police say they were called to the crash around noon last Saturday, where a car hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk on Highway 97-A in Enderby, B-C. 

Deadly crash in the Okanagan