British Columbia

1 dead after East Vancouver house fire

An elderly man has died following a house fire in East Vancouver Sunday morning.

Two-alarm fire started in the basement of the two-storey home

Vancouver firefighters said they were challenged to get access to an elderly man trapped inside a house fire because the fire was at the entrance. (Cory Correia/CBC News)

An elderly man has died following a house fire in East Vancouver Sunday morning. 

It broke out in the basement of a two-storey home around 4 a.m. at East 47th Avenue near Elliott street. 

Firefighters pulled a man from the basement and paramedics performed CPR on him, but he died on the scene.

Nearby residents gather outside the house fire on East 47th Avenue. (Cory Correia/CBC News)

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services assistant chief, Sheldon Young, said it was challenging to get in the house because the fire was in the entrance.

"We knew that there was somebody inside. Crews did a great job in knocking the fire down quickly, and getting in to get to the person, unfortunately he was deceased when we did get to him," said Young. 

He said a family of three living upstairs escaped with minor smoke inhalation.

Young said there is significant fire damage to the basement and smoke damage to the upper floor. 

The cause of the fire is actively being investigated.


 

Cory Correia