Two early morning blazes in vacant Vancouver buildings considered suspicious

VANCOUVER – Two fires within a few hours in vacant buildings in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood kept fire crews busy early Tuesday morning.

The first blaze broke out just after midnight in an empty duplex along busy 41st Avenue.

Crews made short work of that fire, but just before 5 a.m., had to rush to a vacant church burning just a few blocks away.

Part of that structure has collapsed and Vancouver Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Brian Godlinson says crews are concentrating on keeping the flames from spreading to older, three-storey apartments beside the church.

Residents of one building have been evacuated and are being sheltered at a nearby community centre.

A cause of both fires is under investigation, but fire officials at the scene are treating both as suspicious. (Global)