Work has begun to remove a construction crane that has been blocking a major road in Vancouver, British Columbia for about two weeks, but the road will not be fully reopened until around Labor Day (September 2).
The accident occurred on August 6th when a fire broke out in a six-story building under construction on 41st Avenue in the Dunbar Southlands area, adjacent to the quiet residential area of Kerrisdale, and a large construction crane collapsed.
On August 21, about two weeks after the accident, the City of Vancouver held a press conference where Saul Schwebs, Director of the City Buildings Department, announced the current situation. The removal of the collapsed crane, which began on August 20, is expected to be mostly completed in a few days, but the damaged infrastructure needs to be repaired.
Plans include repairing the trolley lines for bus service and the internet network, as well as restoration work by BC Hydro, the British Columbia power utility. The goal is to have buses back in service by Labor Day so that they can be up and running before the new semester begins at the nearby University of British Columbia. The fire and crane collapse damaged nine homes, forcing 81 people to evacuate.
Three of the homes are so badly damaged they need to be demolished. Fifteen people are still unable to return to their homes. Vancouver Fire Department Deputy Chief Trevor Connelly said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and that at this stage the fire is believed to have been accidental, but the cause is unknown.