Residents of 1255 Pendrell - Support Fund
Donativo protegido
Hello,
Early yesterday morning I was laying on my bed when I heard an explosion and screams of terror out my 6th story window. I opened the window a bit to see what was happening, and saw smoke floating up past my apartment from a unit below me in my building. I ran out into the hallway half-naked and pulled the fire alarm as quickly as I could, then ran back into my suite and Called 9-1-1 immediately to report a fire in MY building! Within a minute, the operator I was speaking to had connected me to the fire department and then she told me to get out of the building NOW! I quickly stuffed my kitty into her carry bag, put on some pants and grabbed my bag with my IDs and personal items which I carry on a daily basis. This all happened within 2-3 minutes as I started to quickly make my way down the fire stairs. By the time I was one floor down I ran into a couple of other residents and told them, 'we can't go that way' because I already saw heavy smoke. We quickly ran around to the other set of stairs and got out! From the time I called 9-1-1 to the fire truck arrived was less than 5 minutes. I quickly helped them find the fire hydrant which is hidden in the bushes in front of my building, and told them where I thought the fire was.
Well it turned out to be one floor lower, but still just one unit over from my bedroom and one floor down. The firefighters were amazing and had the fire out before it spread past the unit above. The flames had reached up over 15 feet, and billowing black smoke covered the backside of the building up easily past 10 floors above. One person was forced to exit her bedroom window to escape and is doing alright, but sadly her boyfriend did not survive. Our prayers go out to her and the families of her and her boyfriend.
In a building of 18 floors, and approximately 200 tenants, more then half of us have been displaced for the time being while they assess the safety and air quality of the building, 2 entire floors are practically uninhabitable, and at least 30 units have severe to moderate smoke damage and are currently unliveable. I was able to return to my suite to grab a few things while it is airing out, but my entire place smells heavily like a campfire…literally every fabric surface reeks of chemical smoke. After speaking to other tenants and friends in the building, I learned some are completely covered in thick black soot. Most of us will need to replace many items and have our suites professionally cleaned due to smoke damage.
We know these are already trying times, but any donations would be greatly appreciated as we endeavour to rebuild our homes and get our lives back. Thank you so much!!
Early yesterday morning I was laying on my bed when I heard an explosion and screams of terror out my 6th story window. I opened the window a bit to see what was happening, and saw smoke floating up past my apartment from a unit below me in my building. I ran out into the hallway half-naked and pulled the fire alarm as quickly as I could, then ran back into my suite and Called 9-1-1 immediately to report a fire in MY building! Within a minute, the operator I was speaking to had connected me to the fire department and then she told me to get out of the building NOW! I quickly stuffed my kitty into her carry bag, put on some pants and grabbed my bag with my IDs and personal items which I carry on a daily basis. This all happened within 2-3 minutes as I started to quickly make my way down the fire stairs. By the time I was one floor down I ran into a couple of other residents and told them, 'we can't go that way' because I already saw heavy smoke. We quickly ran around to the other set of stairs and got out! From the time I called 9-1-1 to the fire truck arrived was less than 5 minutes. I quickly helped them find the fire hydrant which is hidden in the bushes in front of my building, and told them where I thought the fire was.
Well it turned out to be one floor lower, but still just one unit over from my bedroom and one floor down. The firefighters were amazing and had the fire out before it spread past the unit above. The flames had reached up over 15 feet, and billowing black smoke covered the backside of the building up easily past 10 floors above. One person was forced to exit her bedroom window to escape and is doing alright, but sadly her boyfriend did not survive. Our prayers go out to her and the families of her and her boyfriend.
In a building of 18 floors, and approximately 200 tenants, more then half of us have been displaced for the time being while they assess the safety and air quality of the building, 2 entire floors are practically uninhabitable, and at least 30 units have severe to moderate smoke damage and are currently unliveable. I was able to return to my suite to grab a few things while it is airing out, but my entire place smells heavily like a campfire…literally every fabric surface reeks of chemical smoke. After speaking to other tenants and friends in the building, I learned some are completely covered in thick black soot. Most of us will need to replace many items and have our suites professionally cleaned due to smoke damage.
We know these are already trying times, but any donations would be greatly appreciated as we endeavour to rebuild our homes and get our lives back. Thank you so much!!
Organizador
Nicholas Gede-Lange
Organizador
Vancouver, BC