TransLink Takes Legal Action Over Dunbar Construction Fire Incident

TransLink, the regional public transit authority officially known as the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, has launched a legal claim following the serious construction-site fire in Vancouver's Dunbar neighbourhood. The incident—on the evening of August 6, 2024—destroyed a six-storey wood-frame building under development at 3449 West 41st Avenue. As the fire raged, a crane collapsed onto the road, damaging overhead trolley-bus infrastructure that TransLink relies on for its electric bus network.

On May 5, 2025, TransLink and its subsidiary, the Coast Mountain Bus Company, filed a civil claim in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The defendants include Sightline Properties (Collingwood St) Ltd.—the registered owner of the damaged construction site—and the beneficial owners of the project. The lawsuit asserts that Sightline had a contract in place, agreed upon in August 2023, that explicitly barred any damage or disruption to TransLink’s trolley-bus overhead powerlines and held the developer responsible for any related costs.

During the August 2024 fire, the crane toppled and severely damaged these powerlines. In the aftermath, TransLink was forced to reroute services, conduct inspections, carry out repairs, and provide additional staffing to restore the network’s functionality. TransLink issued an invoice to the property owners on October 28, 2024, requesting reimbursement for all incurred expenses. However, according to the claim, no payment has been received, and Sightline remains in breach of the contract.

Although TransLink has not disclosed the total financial toll from the incident, the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for breach of contract. It also includes alternately framed claims for nuisance under strict liability or negligence, plus interest and legal costs. This legal move aims to compel payment and underscore the operator’s expectation that project owners must shield public infrastructure from harm.

The fire’s root cause remains under investigation. Despite initial fears of foul play, Vancouver Police Department ruled out arson. Nonetheless, WorkSafeBC continues to probe the incident, with findings due later this year. Residents in the nearby area—including the Save-On-Foods plaza and adjacent homes—witnessed the blaze and aftermath, with some shared observations online about ongoing disruption and property damage.

TransLink has refrained from public comment while the case is advancing through the courts. The upcoming legal proceedings are likely to focus on the contractual obligations and responsibility for public infrastructure protection. The outcome could set an important precedent for how transit agencies and developers manage risk and accountability during urban construction projects.