Crane blocking Vancouver road won't be moved for a week: official

The crane that collapsed during a huge fire at a construction site in Vancouver's West Side on Tuesday evening will likely remain lying across West 41st Avenue for another week, officials said Thursday.

The crane crashed into a home in the Dunbar neighbourhood as the fire spread from the six-storey wooden frame of an under-construction building to several homes in the area. 

No residents were injured. Around 81 people people were evacuated and needed assistance, according to the city. 

Assistant Fire Chief Pierre Morin said Thursday morning that the fire is now out, but the crane will keep West 41st Avenue closed between Dunbar and Collingwood streets. 

He said authorities, including WorkSafeBC, need to investigate the cause of the blaze before crews can start to clean up. 

The city said in a Thursday afternoon news release that investigations continue, and the effort to remove the crane is expected to start "in the coming days."

WATCH | Crane topples during huge fire in Vancouver's West Side: 

Crane collapses as fire engulfs Vancouver construction site

4 months ago

Duration 1:56

A towering construction crane came crashing down into a Vancouver house as fire and explosions engulfed a construction site on the city’s West Side.

The city also said most residents who had to be evacuated can now return home, except for those in five homes that are deemed unsafe to occupy. According to the city, these include two homes that are total losses due to the fire and the home hit by the crane. The two remaining homes are located near dangerous scaffolding.

Morin also said several other houses in the neighbourhood might have minor fire damage, which should be covered by insurance. 

The fire broke out at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at a construction site near West 41st Avenue and Dunbar Street.

Morin said embers and flaming Styrofoam floated around the neighbourhood, starting spot fires nearby, including in several houses. 

WATCH | These brothers helped fight huge Vancouver fire: 

2 brothers help fight huge Vancouver house fire

4 months ago

Duration 3:02

After a massive fire broke out in Vancouver's Dunbar area Tuesday evening, two brothers sprang into action, using buckets and garden hoses to stop the flames from spreading.

Residents reported hearing several loud bangs before the crane toppled at the site where a six-storey, 114-unit rental building was being built by Sightline Properties. Firefighters say the site will need to be demolished. 

Sightline Properties did not respond to request for comment. 

In an email to CBC News, a B.C. Hydro spokesperson said the utility had fully restored service to the neighbourhood. He said there is extensive damage to electrical equipment, and several poles will need to be replaced.