Latest news with #PinkPearl
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Crews battle fire at vacant building in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood
A fire tore through a vacant building on East Hastings Street in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood Sunday morning, prompting a major firefighting response and a public smoke advisory. Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) says crews responded just before 10 a.m. at a vacant building located between Glen Drive and Vernon Drive, which was slated for demolition. "Upon arrival there was heavy smoke showing,… the fire was coming through the windows and starting to make its way through the roof," said Acting Asst. Chief Wesley Abrams. "It was very well involved when crews showed up." The three-storey building, located next to the Pink Pearl Chinese Restaurant, was boarded up and structurally compromised, which made firefighting efforts particularly challenging, Abrams said. Crews spent about four hours putting out the blaze. "The older structure with the heavier timbers, once the fire gets underway, it is very hard to extinguish," he added. Abrams said firefighters escalated the response to a second alarm, bringing in more than 30 firefighters, four ladder trucks, four engines and rescue teams. "There's already been a partial collapse on the ... alley side of the building, and that is a concern for us," Abrams said in an interview. The extent of the fire meant crews were unable to attack the flames from the inside and instead worked to contain the fire from outside the building, he said. No injuries have been reported, says Abrams, but the heavy smoke prompted the evacuation of a nearby building. By late Sunday, conditions had improved enough to allow residents to return home. "Anyone with chronic breathing problems would find them exacerbated by this type of smoke and flames," he said. The City of Vancouver issued a public advisory warning of "heavy smoke in Strathcona," urging people to avoid the area near Hastings and Vernon Drive. The structure was previously used as single-room occupancy (SRO) but sat empty for several years, according to Saul Schwebs, the city's chief building official. He said the city had ordered it vacated over structural concerns. Schwebs confirmed the building is owned by developer Westbank Corp., which has an active rezoning application for the site. He said the owner will bear the cost of demolition. Part of the building's rear has already collapsed, and demolition crews will also be tasked with confirming no one was inside when the fire broke out. "Given the nature of vacant buildings in the city right now, we can't assume that they're vacant," said Schwebs. "We do need to keep that in mind when we're doing this work." By 6:30 p.m., fire officials say the building had been reduced to a pile of rubble and the site was taped off. As part of the demolition process, crews conducted an inspection to ensure no one had been inside at the time of the fire. VFRS confirmed the structure was completely empty. Gilles Cyrenne, who lives on the same block, said he feared his own building was affected when he saw pictures of the fire. "I was really scared," said Cyrenne. "I've got a studio, I've got artwork, I've got my computer … and a huge library." He said the building had been frequented by squatters after it was first vacated a few years ago, but in recent months it had been well secured and appeared to be empty. There is no word yet on the cause of the fire, but it is under investigation.
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Crews battle fire at vacant SRO building in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood
A fire tore through a vacant building on East Hastings Street in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood Sunday morning, prompting a major firefighting response and a public smoke advisory. Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) says crews responded to the fire just before 10 a.m. at a vacant single-room occupancy (SRO) building located between Glen Drive and Vernon Drive, which was slated for demolition. "Upon arrival there was heavy smoke showing…the fire was coming through the windows and starting to make its way through the roof," said Acting Asst. Chief Wesley Abrams. "It was very well involved when crews showed up." The three-storey building, located next to the Pink Pearl Chinese Restaurant, was boarded up and structurally compromised, which made firefighting efforts particularly challenging, Abrams said. Crews spent about four hours putting out the blaze. "The older structure with the heavier timbers, once the fire gets underway, it is very hard to extinguish," he added. Abrams said firefighters escalated the response to a second alarm, bringing in more than 30 firefighters, four ladder trucks, four engines, and rescue teams. "There's already been a partial collapse on the ... alley side of the building, and that is a concern for us," Abrams said in an interview. The extent of the fire meant crews were unable to attack the flames from the inside and instead worked to contain the fire from outside the building, he said. No injuries have been reported, says Abrams but the heavy smoke prompted the evacuation of a nearby building. By late Sunday, conditions had improved enough to allow residents to return home. "Anyone with chronic breathing problems would find them exacerbated by this type of smoke and flames," he added. The City of Vancouver issued a public advisory warning of "heavy smoke in Strathcona," urging people to avoid the area near Hastings and Vernon Drive. The structure was previously used as an SRO and had been vacant for several years, according to Saul Schwebs, the city's chief building official. He said the city had ordered it vacated over structural concerns. Schwebs confirmed the building is owned by developer Westbank Corp., which has an active rezoning application for the site. He said the owner will bear the cost of demolition. Part of the building's rear has already collapsed, and demolition crews will also be tasked with confirming no one was inside when the fire broke out. "Given the nature of vacant buildings in the city right now, we can't assume that they're vacant," said Schwebs. "We do need to keep that in mind when we're doing this work." Jill Cyrenne, who lives on the same block, said he feared his own building was affected when he saw pictures of the fire. "I was really scared," said Cyrenne. "I've got a studio, I've got artwork, I've got my computer … and a huge library." He said the building had been frequented by squatters after it was first vacated a few years ago, but in recent months it had been well secured and appeared to be empty. Fire crews could not provide any information about the cause of the fire, saying it was under investigation.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fire erupts next to Pink Pearl restaurant in east Vancouver
Firefighters are on the scene of a fire in an abandoned building next to the Pink Pearl restaurant in east Vancouver Sunday. The blaze in the 1100-block of East Hastings at Vernon Avenue — on the outskirts of Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside — is across a parking lot from the popular dining institution. Gord Sidhu, an assistant chief with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, said crews were called Sunday morning and are working it as a 'defensive fire, with no crews making entry.' 'At this time the fire is not contained,' said Sidhu. 'Traffic is heavily impacted … and there is heavy smoke in the area.' There are no reports of injuries. The fire began in the Vernon Drive Apartments, a derelict rooming house on East Hastings Street. The building has an unknown civic address, said Sidhu. The Pink Pearl first opened in 1981, but was closed for nearly three years after a fire broke out in its electrical room in 2009. More to come … jruttle@ Related Driven by demand for local food, 'on-farm shopping' grows in B.C. Canucks: Who is the real Evander Kane? His former WHL head coach knows the whole story
Korea Herald
03-07-2025
- Korea Herald
JW Marriott Phu Quoc Unlocks a Season of Discovery with New Summer Offer
PHU QUOC, Vietnam, July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- There's a certain kind of magic in Phu Quoc – Vietnam's most celebrated island: golden mornings, long sun-drenched afternoons and the luxury of time spent together. This season, JW Marriott Phu Quoc invites travelers to the island's serene southern coast with Summer Retreat, an exclusive package designed for families, foodies and seekers of inspired escapes. Located along the prime stretch of Khem Beach, one of the world's most private and beautiful beaches, JW Marriott Phu Quoc isn 't just another beach res ort. Dreamed up by the legendary Bill Bensley, this fantastical beachfront property takes the form of a whimsical 19th-century academy: Lamarck University , setting it apart among numerous prestigious resorts. 'Summer Retreat' Offer As one of the rare resorts to incorporate storytelling art into its design, JW Marriott Phu Quoc stands as one of the world's most iconic works by the renowned Bill Bensley. From the grand facades to the handpicked curios inside, the resort reads like a novel you can walk through. Nowhere is that more true than the Turquoise Suite, inspired by the calm waters that lap just beyond your balcony. Designed in soothing tones of seafoam and pearl, this suite offers uninterrupted views of the bay, with a generous balcony that stretches from bedroom to living area — the perfect perch for your morning coffee, sunrise included. Private pool and garden upgrades are also available. With the exclusive 'Summer Retreat' offer , the resort welcomes guests with attractive privileges, including daily complimentary lunch or dinner, a variety of entertainment activities, and the Family by JW kit for families traveling with children. Art on the plate by a Michelin Master Hiding behind a pink façade and wrapped in Belle Époque glamour, Pink Pearl by Olivier E. is the resort's crown jewel. Once the seaside villa of Madame Pearl Collins, the mansion is now a stage for celebrated chef Olivier Elzer , who brings with him the weight of 30 Michelin Stars from kitchens across the globe. Here, guests are served with a menu that weaves together coastal French classics, local ingredients, and seasonal vegetables from the island. Sundays are reserved for the Pink Pearl Brunch, inspired by finest Riviera dishes , DJ sets and free-flowing good cheer — a little Gatsby, a little Mediterranean summer. While the adults may lose themselves in design details and long lunches, the little ones have adventures of their own. With the unique storytelling design, JW Marriott Phu Quoc is not just perfect for families but also awakens the nature - born curiosity in any child. True to the spirit of Family by JW, the resort's children's programs are anything but ordinary. From craft workshops to traditional Vietnamese games, the resort's Kid Club invites young guests to explore, imagine, and play in a world built just for them. Famous for its breathtaking sunrise views, the resort is just a 10 minutes ride by double decker bus from Sunset Town – renowned as the "best place to enjoy the sunset in Vietnam". This vibrant complex is also home to unique attractions such as the Kiss Bridge, "Kiss of the Sea" show, the world's longest sea-crossing Cable Car, and Aquatopia Water Park. Guests staying at JW Marriott Phu Quoc enjoy complimentary tickets to the Kiss of the Sea show , Kiss Bridge , along with unlimited cable car access to Sun World Hon Thom when purchasing a one-way ticket.
