B.C. coroner's inquest jury begins deliberations regarding deadly Winters Hotel fire

The jury in a coroner's inquest into the Winters Hotel fire in Vancouver two years ago has begun to deliberate its recommendations about the deadly blaze.

For two weeks the inquest has heard evidence about the fire that killed residents Mary Ann Garlow and Dennis Guay, including testimony that the sprinkler system wasn't operating because of a smaller fire three days earlier.

Presiding coroner John Knox told jurors they can only make recommendations based on evidence presented at the inquest, and not "blame or vindicate any person or agency." 

Knox told the jury they're also not allowed to make "findings of legal responsibility" or make any legal conclusions about the fire that destroyed the Gastown single-room occupancy rooming hotel on April 11, 2022. 

He told the jury to make two verdicts, one for each death, and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Jurors were told that a few recommendations targeting "broader failures of systems and standards" are more effective than numerous recommendations that address "unique circumstances." 

Knox also recounted evidence given by police and firefighters about how Garlow and Guay both died as a result of an "unintended accident," rather than homicide, suicide or natural causes. 

The Winters Hotel was one of approximately 150 single-room-occupancy buildings for some of Vancouver's most vulnerable residents, whom the jury heard are often on the verge of homelessness.

Jurors heard from various witnesses over the course of the inquest, including survivors of the fire, fire investigators and social workers and the building manager.

The bodies of Garlow, 63, and Guay, 53, were found during demolition of the hotel more than a week after the fire.

Sprinklers not reset: witnesses

The jury saw video from inside the hotel during the fire, showing smoke filling the hallways and pieces of burning wood falling from above as tenants alerted each other to the danger.

The inquest heard the old building did not have the kind of modern "compartmentalization" that would have slowed the spread of flames and smoke between rooms, meaning the fire spread rapidly.

The sprinkler system had been shut off three days before the fatal blaze after a smaller fire led to flooding in the building, while multiple fire extinguishers were left empty, the jury heard.

The Vancouver fire department ordered the building's sprinkler system and fire alarm to be serviced after the first fire, which took place on a Friday. But the building's manager, Gina Vanemberg with Atira Property Management, testified that she didn't call the fire safety company to have the system reset until after the weekend.

Vanemberg told the jury she didn't believe the company would come over the weekend and there was an understanding that workers were not to be called in on the weekend to avoid overtime costs.

Chauncey Carr, who oversaw several buildings for Atira, testified later that he told Vanemberg to call the fire safety company after the Friday fire. He said emergency situations like resetting sprinklers would be approved for overtime.

The company was scheduled to reset the system at 3 p.m. on the Monday, but the second fire broke out hours before they were due to arrive.

Officials with Atira initially reported that all tenants were accounted for, but 11 days later the remains of Garlow and Guay were discovered in the rubble.

Some witnesses testified that some of the building's doors were locked shut with chains, but video entered into evidence didn't appear to show chains on the day of the fire.

Carr testified he did see chains on the doors months before the fire, but he said they were removed.

Guay was severely hearing impaired and used hearing aids. 

Vanemberg testified that she tried to get Guay things like a flashing light or a vibrating bed to accommodate his hearing impairment in the event of a fire alarm, but she said she did not hear back from officials with B.C. Housing.