It looks like we'll never know what caused a fire that damaged 10 townhome units at the Evergreen Terrace social housing complex at Blanshard and Hillside last week.
Lt. Megan Sabell says an engineer has deemed the damaged area too unsafe for a physical examination of the scene.
"Because we can't do a physical investigation this will most likely remain as an undetermined cause, so we won't be able to say exactly what started this fire. But we are continuing to interview witnesses."
The morning of the blaze witnesses reported hearing what sounded like explosions leading to speculation of a possible meth lab. But fire crews have not been able to confirm if there were explosions involved -- as for a meth lab Sabell says:.
" At this point in time I have no indication there is a meth lab on scene."
Sabell adds the building was built in the 60's, and didn't have sprinklers installed which would have prevented the rapid progress of the fire. Thankfully most tenants did have working smoke alarms which helped wake them up and get them out safely quickly.
The building has been turned over to the owners.
The blaze displaced 9 families, or a total of 35 people, who have been temporarily put up in an area hotel. Two of the families have been allowed to return to their units -- and BC Housing is working to re-home the remaining families.
Sabell was sepaking with CTV Vancouver Island.