The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s office shut down a downtown hip-hop nightclub Friday night because C-Tran’s construction on a bus rapid transit center is blocking access to the business’s rear exit, making the building unsafe for occupancy.
“Our No. 1 concern is for fire and life safety,” said Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli. “In the history of the U.S., some of our largest-loss fires have been due to exiting problems. … This is a very serious concern to the fire department. Exiting is a crucial function of any nightclub.”
Last month, C-Tran officials informed Q Nightclub and Lounge owner Adrian Kallimanis and Wayne Magnoni, owner of the club’s building at 704 Main St., that they had been using C-Tran’s property for garbage access and a fire access without permission. They were given 30 days to find an alternate fire exit and garbage access, Jeff Hamm, C-Tran’s executive director/CEO, stated in a Nov. 2 letter. C-Tran would not be able to grant them an easement or any permission to continue using the property in the future, he wrote.
“Unfortunately, your continued use is not compatible with the new transit stop and transit operations,” Hamm wrote.
On Nov. 10, Scarpelli notified Kallimanis and Magnoni that C-Tran’s redevelopment of Turtle Place might jeopardize Q Nightclub’s use of the area for its required secondary exit. If the business couldn’t meet the requirement for assembly occupancy, the Fire Marshal’s office would immediately begin enforcement proceedings for business closure, her letter stated.
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Q Nightclub features DJs, dancing and R&B musical guests. Fire marshals and police entered Q Nightclub on Friday night shortly before it opened, posted a notice on the front door and informed employees they were shutting down the business.