The coroner’s inquest into the deadly Winters Hotel fire in Vancouver has revealed video footage of the blaze from inside the rooming facility. The video shows heavy smoke billowing from a unit, followed by flames a few minutes later. Jesse Smith shot the two videos on the day of the fire, which occurred on April 11, 2022. Tragically, the fire killed tenants Mary Ann Garlow and Dennis Guay.
Ms. Smith, who worked for a program caring for pets in the building, has testified that she initially heard smoke detectors going off, but neither the sprinklers nor fire alarm were activated. She was in the atrium when she videoed heavy smoke pouring out of an upper-floor room at 10:57 a.m. She then left the building but returned to see if she could help tenants and shot a few more seconds of video at 11:01 a.m., showing flames shooting out of the room, while a fire alarm sounds.
Surprisingly, the inquest revealed that the Gastown hotel’s sprinkler system was due to be reset just hours after the deadly fire erupted. This has raised questions and concerns about the fire safety measures at the facility. The inquest, which is expected to continue for another two weeks, has heard harrowing details about the tragic fire and its aftermath.
The remains of Ms. Garlow and Mr. Guay were found in the rubble of the building during demolition work more than a week after the fire. Inquests are not intended to find fault but can lead to critical recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future, which is a key aspect that will be closely examined in this case.