VANCOUVER Fire and Rescue Services (VFRS) on Friday confirmed that a body has been located during the demolition of the Winters Hotel at 203 Abbott Street in Gastown.

VFRS said that through the process, investigators and the demolition crew have been mindful individuals may be in the building, and have been proceeding with appropriate precaution and care.

Typically in a fire, firefighters conduct a primary and secondary search for occupants. Given the 203 Abbott Street fire was a defensive attack, firefighters performed a primary search, exited the building and fought the fire from outside.

The fire was too extensive and situation deemed too dangerous to allow firefighters into areas on floor two (where the fire originated) and above, which means an “all clear” was not determined, the VFRS said.

The investigation of death has been referred by VFRS to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) who engaged the BC Coroners Service. The Coroner has attended the site. Building demolition will resume once an all-clear is provided by the BC Coroners Service.

On April 11, a fire ravaged the Winters Hotel. The building was deemed structurally unsound and ordered demolished by the City’s Chief Building Official on April 12. Demolition of the building began on April 21.