Vancouver, British Columbia – A recent incident at a strata unit located within the University of British Columbia (UBC) has sparked a legal dispute, according to court documents filed on February 15. The unit owner, Xiaolu Niu, alleges that a renter, Cishan Cheng, or someone under their supervision, caused an explosion by using a portable gas stove indoors on February 26, 2022.
The incident reportedly led to the activation of the sprinkler system, resulting in water damage not only to the rental unit but also to neighboring suites and common areas of the building. Niu’s civil claim contends that Cheng was negligent in handling the Canada Six Fortune butane gas stove, failing to operate it with reasonable care, store the butane properly, and respond adequately to the ensuing flash fire.
In the aftermath of the explosion, Niu is seeking compensation for various losses incurred, including a strata chargeback, costs related to fire investigation, repairs to the property, replacement of damaged contents, and other damages. It is important to note that these claims have yet to be substantiated in a court of law.
Instances of strata disputes, such as this one, often find their way to the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal for resolution. However, at present, there is no record of this specific case involving the strata corporation in the tribunal’s public database. The outcome of this legal battle will likely shed light on the responsibilities of renters and property owners in shared living spaces like strata units and the repercussions of negligence in such environments.