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