Vancouver Inquest Jury Reviews Fatal Winters Hotel Fire

The Winters Hotel fire in Vancouver's Gastown neighborhood resulted in the deaths of Mary Ann Garlow and Dennis Guay, and the jury has been given the task to recommend measures to prevent similar incidents. The jury heard evidence that the sprinkler system had failed due to a smaller fire a few days before the fatal fire. They were also reminded that the fire was an unintended accident and that the building lacked modern compartments to slow the spread of fire and smoke. The inquest also revealed that more than 15% of immigrants leave Canada within 20 years of arriving. The Winters Hotel housed some of Vancouver's vulnerable residents, and the jury was advised to focus on recommendations targeting broader failures of systems and standards instead of unique circumstances.