Huge early morning fire guts Vancouver house

An East Vancouver house has been seriously damaged by flames, after it caught fire just hours after 2016 began.

The fire started some time a little before 4 a.m., Friday, at 1138 Lily St. Officials had originally reported the address as 1130 Lily Street.

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32 firefighters were called to the second-alarm fire, according toBattallionChief David Laberge withVancouver Fire and Rescue.

When they arrived at the house, they discoveredflames visible on all sides, with huge flames spitting out the rear of the house, which was vacant and undergoing renovations at the time.

"It was a tough one to fight because of the narrow streets," saidLaberge. "Thelaneway there's difficulty getting access to the lane, thehousesare very close together."

Laberge said there was a serious risk that the fire would spread to the houses on both sides, but the neighbours were able to make itsafely outside.

"The officers and the crews did an excellent job saving both those houses on each side," he said.

"We're not sure how it started. It was inthe rear of the house," said Laberge."I haven't seen the backmost of the damage was at the rearof the house."

Laberge said afire investigator would work to determine the cause of the fire.