Two co-ops in Campbell River, British Columbia, were evacuated Tuesday night after a landslide drew police and firefighters to a waterfront neighborhood south of the city’s downtown core.
No injuries were reported and city officials continued to monitor the stability of the slope Wednesday.
The landslide happened around 7 p.m. behind two addresses – 738 and 758 South Island Hwy.
“We heard a bang in the back,” evacuee Bruce Matthews told CTV News.
“I assumed it was the wind – something came loose or flew – and then there was a banging on the door and it was the fire department telling us to evacuate.”
Both buildings, known as Hillside Place and Beechwood Manor, were evacuated as a precaution and residents were advised to stay away from the area overnight into Wednesday evening.
The subsequent landslide Wednesday morning did not pose an immediate threat to residents, the city said in a statement.
“Experts are being brought in to confirm the stability,” said the municipality. “Public safety is the city’s top priority and no additional evacuations are considered necessary at this time.”
Acting City Manager Drew Hadfield thanked evacuees for their cooperation in a statement posted on the Campbell River municipal website Tuesday evening.
“I would like to reassure residents that the situation is stable and thank the public for their patience while we respond to this incident,” Hadfield said.
Residents of the affected buildings were initially directed to a temporary reception center at Campbell River Baptist Church, located at 260 South Dogwood St.
A second drop-in center for displaced residents was open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Strathcona Gardens Recreation Center.
A landslide warning was issued through Alertable, an emergency notification system used by the city of Campbell River.
EMS officials are expected to brief the media during a telephone briefing at 3:00 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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