Emergency crews are on scene of a large house fire in Vancouver. The vacant home at 173 W. 17th Ave., between Columbia and Manitoba streets, is currently under construction. Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Asst. Chief Keith Stewart told CTV News that smoke and flames were coming out of the roof of the house when crews arrived shortly before 2 p.m. on Friday. “I heard that there was workers here but I didn’t see anyone upon our arrival,” Stewart said. More than 30 firefighters were on scene to help extinguish the fire, which at one point jumped to the roof of a neighbouring house. That fire was quickly put out, and damage is believed to be minimal. Vancouver police were called in to control traffic in the area, and help evacuate neighbouring residents. “At this time right now we have so much smoke in the area, we are asking residents to stay back, the smoke is not good,” Stewart said. Anyone with respiratory problems is also being advised to close their windows. A fire investigation team is now working to determine how the fire started. No injuries have been reported.
