British Columbia

Langley fire crews battle 2-alarm blaze at house in rural area

One witness says he saw flames coming out of the chimney of the house on 256 Street.

Police say they searched home but couldn't find anyone inside

No one was home when the flames broke out early Thursday morning. (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC)

Fire crews from Langley battled a two-alarm blaze at an empty house early Thursday morning.

Neighbours say they called 9-1-1 after the fire broke out around 4:20 a.m. PT at a home on 256 Street near 64 Avenue.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames bursting through the roof. 

Neighbours said they saw flames bursting through the roof of the house. (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC)

Robert Tapp lives right across the street from the house and says he saw the fire grow quickly.

"I looked through the window, and there's fire coming right out of the very centre of the house," said Tapp.

"The flames were coming out about the middle of the roof going up about six to eight feet high at the time, right through the chimney ... I couldn't believe it."

Crews had to shuttle in water from other parts of Langley, as there were no hydrants in the area. (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC)

Langley RCMP say they searched the home but couldn't find anyone inside.

It took crews just under two hours to fight the fire, as water had to be brought in from other parts of the city.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.