We thank you for your patience as we worked with our Community Partners to identify needs of the Driftwood Arms Apartment Fire (Cosmos Fire) evacuees.
Based on the assessment of needs, a number of individuals have been identified as significantly impacted by the April 6, 2017 fire; therefore, at this time, Sources is accepting financial donations via their website on their behalf. For those wishing to support the fire evacuees, please indicate that you are donating to Driftwood Arms Fire [Cosmos Fire].
For those wishing to donate through Life Church, please click here and make your donation to Driftwood Arms Fire [Cosmos Fire].
Financial donations will be accepted until Wednesday, May 3, 2017 and distributions will be made in partnership with the Red Cross and the Peninsula Pastor’s Network.
Should you have questions and wish to contact Sources BC, please call 604-542-7594. For those wishing to contact Peninsula Pastors’ Network, please call Pastor Peter Klenner at 604-209-5570.
April 7, 1:00 pm Update
The Red Cross has joined in as one of the City’s community partners (see update No. 2 below) to offer services to the fire evacuees beyond the ESS 72 hour period. They will provide conducting individual Capacity and Needs Assessments with evacuees in order to:
- Identify vulnerabilities;
- Initiate early recovery planning and build a foundation for potential long-term recovery needs;
- Support inter-agency coordination and participate in an unmet needs committee (should one be formed); and
- Prepare for the provision of recovery-related direct aid for basic needs if required.
During this difficult time for those impacted by the fire, the Red Cross can support vulnerable individuals and families with recovery services that may include lodging, food, personal and health services, information, community referrals etc. Their services are generally for those who are uninsured and underinsured.
Acknowledging that emergency lodging is often the most urgent and resource intensive need, Red Cross is prepared to support 3-5 families in emergency commercial lodging beyond the ESS support period. If the number of families with unmet needs exceeds 5 families, the Red Cross can provide surge support to a Group Lodging site and/or Reception Centre.
For Recovery support based on needs, please contact The Red Cross at 1-888-800-6493.
April 6, 4:45 pm Update
Fire evacuees were briefed this afternoon by the City’s Fire Chief and informed of the next steps, which includes firefighters accompanying some residents to their unit so that they can collect necessary items. For those whose units were deemed too dangerous to access, firefighters will go through and collect the items on resident’s list.
The Fire Chief also noted that the building will be released to the Strata so that Strata’s property management company and insurance company can begin their assessments and take the lead working with tenants on the next steps. The property management company and insurance adjusters will inform the City and its community partners of residents’ needs as they begin working with those impacted by the fire.
Community partners such as Sources BC and Peninsula Pastors’ Network were also present offering various services, should the evacuees need them.
At the moment, Sources BC has offered the following:
- Food gift cards to those who needed them
- Counselling services to fire evacuees as they begin this difficult process | 604-535-2522
- Invitation to use the Sources’ Food Bank Resource Centres
- (For women only) Women who have been impacted by the fire and in need of clothing and/or laundry facilities can access these services through Sources’ Women’s Place. The Women’s Place also offers free hot lunches at noon, Tuesday to Friday each week.
Those impacted by the fire are encouraged to contact Sources’ BC at 604-542-7594 for more information. For those wishing to contact Peninsula Pastors’ Network, please call Pastor Peter Klenner at 604-209-5570.
Peninsula Pastors’ Network offered the following:
- Invitations to evacuees to join lunches and dinners offered by various churches, including tonight’s dinner at First United Church
- Help with short-term and long-term housing should they require it
Community Support
Many residents have already shown their community spirit by wanting to know what they can do to help the residents impacted by this fire. At this point in time, the victims are working with their respective insurance providers/adjusters to better understand their situation. Once this has been done, they will inform the City and our community partners of their needs. The City will then communicate this to the public through this webpage and on Facebook should any donations or aid be requested.
Again, we thank you for your concern and for your compassion and will share the best ways to help the victims as soon as their needs are identified.
April 6, 9:45 am Update:
Last night, White Rock Fire Rescue responded to a fire above Cosmos Greek Restaurant on Marine Drive. Crews worked through the night and early morning to contain and put out the fire. Thankfully, everyone was accounted for and no one was seriously injured.
The building suffered fire damage to several suites with smoke and water damage to a number of other units, with several commercial units including Cosmos sustaining damage.
Our Emergency Social Services team also arrived on scene and provided meals, transportation, and accommodation for those who did not have a place to stay.
Crews will be investigating and assessing the damage this morning.
The City empathizes with the residents impacted by this fire. We are currently assessing victim’s needs and reaching out to our community partners to coordinate support services. We will update this webpage as soon as possible with more information.