Vancouver explosion sparks arson investigation

by Rob Peters | February 13, 2008 at 07:43 am

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UPDATE: Last night's explosion on Vancouver's Broadway Street, initially thought to be caused by a gas leak, is being investigated by police as an arson case, CKNW reports. Witnesses say someone fled the scene going eastbound on Broadway.

A Starbucks and Mexican restaurant were destroyed in the blast.[q
url="http://www.cknw.com/news/news_local.cfm?cat=7428109912&rem=85570&red=80110923aPBIny&wids=410&gi=1&gm=news_local.cfm"]VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) It appears arson is to blame for a massive overnight explosion which
leveled several businesses in the 600-block of west Broadway in Vancouver.

Vancouver police have confirmed this is now an arson investigation. Constable Tim Fanning says the arson unit is on the case.

"The fire actually started at the Taco Del Mar. I can't tell you at this point whether it was inside or outside. But it was not the Starbucks, it was the Taco Del Mar."

Witnesses say someone fled the scene heading eastbound on Broadway.[/q]_________________

A blast from a suspected gas leak wreaked havoc on Broadway businesses near Heather Street early Wednesday morning.

If anyone has photos, video or commentary, please post below. We'll keep an eye out for more details throughout the day.

VANCOUVER - An explosion and fire ripped through two shops and damaged at least four others on a major Vancouver street early Wednesday.

Vancouver police are investigating the site at 686 West Broadway as a crime scene, but fire investigators say they suspect a gas leak caused the blast that rocked the area at around 2:30 Wednesday morning.

Investigators suspect the explosion occurred in a small taco restaurant, destroying it and an adjoining Starbucks outlet.

No serious injuries have been reported but the concussion from the blast blew out the front windows of a drug store across the street and levelled a bus shelter .

It also shattered the glass in a room at a nearby Holiday Inn - leaving the guest shaken but unhurt.