Fire at East Vancouver seniors home believed to be arson, police say

Police say they suspect arson is behinda fireat an East Vancouver seniors home, which temporarily displaced residents early Sunday.

The flames broke out at the Villa Carital facility on Penticton Street just before 4 a.m. PT. Nineteen ambulances arrived at the scene.

Police say the fire started in a building adjacent to the seniors home, in a kitchen area that may be used by the residents of Villa Carital for other purposes.

Sgt. Randy Fincham said Monday that policedon't have a motive.

"There doesn't appear to be any threats, any information to suggest why someone would have started a fire and displaced this many people and potentially could have injured or killed someone in this facility," Finchamsaid.

About 30 seniors were moved out while fire crews battled the blaze for abouttwo hours. The residents were loaded onto buses to stay warm.

ResidentPeter Girardi says he was awakenedby a loud banging on his door.and was told to leave his home immediately.

"Leaving everything behind is not a good feeling, but Ihad to go because they keep saying 'Get out, get out, get out.' " Girardi said.

Three residents were taken to hospital.

Police said the fire damaged the roof of the facility but there was no damage to the rooms. Crews worked yesterday to repair the water damage and get things back to normal.