3 homes destroyed in East Vancouver fire

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 Streetjust 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 andquickly 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 30metres in the air, he said.

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

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