Photo A wind-driven fire that quickly escalated to two alarms is burning this afternoon at the former Red Lion Hotel at the Quay Tuesday afternoon. A huge plume of smoke was visible downtown as it spread through the new Waterfront Vancouver development just downstream. Most of the Vancouver Fire Department’s resources have been called to the scene, along with Fire District 6. Firefighters are using Vancouver’s fire boat to attack the fire from the Columbia River as well as from the shore. The fire began in a shed on the roof of the building housing the old hotel’s water softener system. Crews had the fire under control around 3 p.m., according to emergency radio traffic monitored by The Columbian. No one has been reported injured; initial reports were people were on the roof when the fire erupted just before 2:30 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The old hotel is in the process of being demolished. Eventually its owner, the Port of Vancouver, plans to redevelop the site. Situated on a wooden pier just downstream of the Interstate 5 Bridge, the hotel has been a prominent Vancouver landmark for generations.

Share: Receive latest stories and local news in your email: GO By signing up you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.