3 homes destroyed in East Vancouver fire

UPDATE Oct. 30, 2024: Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the fire was "the result of a carelessly discarded cigarette at the rear of the property." The service added a reminder that smoking materials should only be put out in a metal container of water or sand and never off of balconies, out of car windows or around vegetation.

Nearly a dozen people have been displaced after a fire tore through several homes in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood Monday night. 

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) said it received reports of the blaze on the 1000-block of Pender Street just after 8 p.m. PT. 

"This is a tragedy in our city. To lose housing and to have people displaced is heartbreaking and it puts a real pressure on our community," Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry said. 

She said the fire started outside one of the homes and quickly spread to the surrounding buildings. 

Three homes were destroyed, while one has smoke damage, Capt. Matthew Trudeau said Tuesday morning. 

From the footage he's seen, flames were reaching about 30 metres in the air, he said. 

Fry said 55 crew members were on the scene to fight the fire Monday night. 

VFRS is still investigating the cause of the fire. Fry said it's not clear how long affected residents will be out of their homes.