3rd alarm fire - 1000 block E Pender Street

At 7:49 pm on Monday, October 7, Vancouver firefighters responded to multiple reports of a fire in the 1000 block of East Pender Street. On arrival, firefighters saw heavy flames coming from 3 residential homes, which ignited tall trees close by, extending flames 100 feet in the air. 

Firefighters on scene quickly began extinguishing the fire, protected nearby structures, and conducted search efforts where possible. The fire was upgraded to a 3rd alarm, and 55 firefighters were on scene to contain the fire because of the number of structures involved and a ruptured gas line burning at the rear of a building.

As a result of the fire, 11 people were displaced and 2 people were treated on scene from smoke inhalation but did not require hospital transport. The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation.

Because of the rapid spread of fires and dangers of toxic smoke, we urgently remind residents to always have a working smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each level of their home. A working smoke alarm is critical for early warning, giving you time to safely exit or reach an area of refuge.