Pubdate: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Page: A5 Copyright: 2004, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Author: Jane Armstrong BLAZE GUTS 3-STOREY VANCOUVER HERITAGE BUILDING VANCOUVER -- A historic stretch of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside was shrouded in smoke yesterday as fire raced through a turn-of-the-century storefront heritage building. Billowing black smoke could be seen across the city, and crowds gathered in a park across the street to watch fire crews battle the blaze that began just after dawn. The fire destroyed the Blunt Brothers cafe, a second-hand clothing store and a bookstore, all on the main floor of the three-storey structure. There were no injuries. A Vancouver Fire Department spokesman said a marijuana-growing operation might also have been in the building, located on a stretch of Hastings Street just east of the touristy Gastown district. The destroyed building is next to the headquarters of the B.C. Marijuana Party and the Amsterdam Cafe, known for its lax policy on customers smoking pot. Artist Ken Gerberick, whose studio was on the second floor, raced to the building with his girlfriend after his son called to say the building was ablaze. Mr. Gerberick, 60, estimated that up to 200 pieces of work were in his studio. "I've lost a lifetime of art," Mr. Gerberick said as he clutched his partner, Janice Corrado, and watched the flames shoot from the windows. "I'm pretty upset." The artist, who constructs installations from pieces of junk, said the building was erected in 1890. It had tall ceilings and large windows, but was falling into disrepair. He was not surprised that the fire had spread so quickly. Mr. Gerberick said he had no insurance, but his lost work could not be replaced anyway. A Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services spokesman said the fire began in three dumpsters in a lane behind the building, but quickly jumped to the structure. Arson has not been ruled out. By the time firefighters arrived, the building was ablaze. Police blocked off Hastings Street for much of the day as more than 50 firefighters tried to control the blaze. The adjoining property was damaged by smoke and water, fire department spokesman Rob Jones-Cook said . - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom