1 dead, 70 displaced after fire at North Vancouver seniors' housing complex

Deadly fire at North Vancouver seniors' complex One person has died in a fire at a seniors' complex on the North Shore, and dozens of others have been displaced.

North Vancouver Mounties are investigating a fire at a housing complex that led to one death and dozens of people being displaced Tuesday.

Police said the blaze happened at Silverlynn Apartments on East 27th Street in North Vancouver.

"We are very saddened to report that one person has died as a result of the fire," said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP, in a news release.

"Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters and other first responders, we are sadly now in the early stages of an investigation, in partnership with BC Coroners Service, into the death of one person."

Some residents, like Crystal Lloyd, were not surprised a fire broke out.

"It hasn't been updated, it needs to be updated, but there's only so much BC Housing is going to do about it," Lloyd said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for BC Housing said it is working with other agencies to find shelter for evacuated residents. The Crown corporation does not provide operating funding for the building which was built back in 1979. However, "some major capital repairs," funded by BC HOusing, were underway.

"BC Housing is aware that residents have previously expressed concerns about the overall condition of Silverlynn Apartments. We have been working with the building owner and operator, Lowland Senior Citizens' Housing Society, to address the issues," an email to CTV News said.

'IT WAS LIKE AN EXPLOSION'

First responders helped evacuate residents of the seniors' complex and North Shore Emergency Management activated its emergency support program, which gives three days' worth of shelter, clothing and food for the 70 people who were displaced.

According to Emergency Health Services, one other person was taken to hospital, but the extent of their injuries was not disclosed.

The victim's name isn't being released as next-of-kin notifications are ongoing."It was like an explosion," resident Val Kornilo told CTV News.

Kornilo said it happened in the unit next to his.

"Got out on the balcony and the neighbours balcony was on fire, just completely on fire," he said.

The building is a B.C. Housing facility for seniors that was built back in 1979.

CTV News has reached out to B.C. Housing but have yet to receive a response.

DeVries said it's not known if any criminality was involved in the fire, but an investigation is underway.

"This is truly a tragedy," DeVries said. "Thankfully, this community has excellent supports in place to take care of those affected by this fire. But our hearts go out today especially to the family and friends of the person who lost their life."