Fire burns through Lynn Valley seniors' complex — for the 2nd time in 3 years

Crews from three fire departments responded to a major blaze Saturday morning at a seniors' apartment complex in North Vancouver — the second fire at the site in less than three years.

District of North Vancouver fire Chief Mike Danks said the fire broke out at the Silverlynn Apartments at 1335 East 27th St., in Lynn Valley around 9 a.m.

Photos and video footage posted online show the building engulfed in flames, with thick black and grey smoke billowing overhead and visible from far-away parts of Metro Vancouver. 

"This has been a very tough day for our community," Danks told reporters Saturday afternoon outside of the building. 

"Upon arrival, there was a fully involved working fire, crews made entry and encountered extreme heat upon pulling into the building."

He said 10 people inside the building had to be rescued from balconies while the fire raged. 

According to Danks, the fire spread quickly because part of the building was under construction, with no drywall to contain the flames.

The building has been undergoing repair work from a deadly fire that occurred in May 2022, killing one resident and displacing around 70 others.

"The main part of the building that has suffered the most damage was the part that was under construction," the fire chief said, adding that there were no occupancies on that side of the building.

He added that firefighters were able to account for all the residents.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said two people were taken to hospital in stable condition.

North Shore Emergency Management (NSEM) has set up a reception centre at the nearby Westlynn Baptist Church. 

NSEM director Emily Dicken said staff have registered displaced residents and are providing food, clothing and emergency housing for at least 72 hours.

"It really depends on the complex needs and challenges they face," she said. "Some supports can be extended for several months."

Emergency crews say 36 evacuees have been registered with NSEM from 30 units at the Silverlynn Apartment complex. The remaining nine units were unoccupied at the time, with some residents reported to be out of town. NSEM says accommodations have been arranged for all displaced residents.

District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little said it was a relief the fire didn't spread further, but the loss is still significant.

"These affordable, senior-friendly units are in such demand," Little told CBC News. "To lose some of those is going to put a tremendous amount of pressure on housing."

Little added that Saturday's fire is part of a troubling trend.

"We've had a number of fires in this neighbourhood affecting some of our lowest-cost housing. It's very frustrating for the community, especially those who've lived through this before."

Brian Smith, who was displaced in the 2022 fire and currently lives in Burnaby, said he had been planning to move back into the building.

"I was looking to move in as early as this month," he said. "I'm in Burnaby and I'm in a housing society, and I am comfortable there so it wasn't immediately necessary to move back here, but it was in the cards."

Smith said he knows several people who still live at Silverlynn and is heartbroken to see them go through another disaster.

The building, operated by the Lowland Senior Citizens' Housing Society, faced criticism after the 2022 fire. At the time, residents described it as being in "appalling" condition, with water-damaged carpets, peeling paint and parts of the ceiling collapsing.

CBC News has reached out to the housing society for more details. 

In an email, B.C. Housing, which doesn't own the building, said it has been funding major repairs at Silverlynn since the 2022 fire and is also providing operating funds.

"The repair process included necessary work [to] address deficiencies related to building infrastructure such as roof and building envelope repairs, electrical wiring upgrades, elevator modernization, and remediation to unit features including sliding doors, windows and balconies," the statement read. 

"As of most recent information dated to March 2025, roof repairs had been completed and building exterior work was anticipated to complete before the summer."  

Firefighters remained on scene Saturday evening and were expected to stay well into the night.

"We're going to make sure the area is secure so people's valuables are safe," Danks said.