Black smoke billowed from the second floor of the two-story brick building as firefighters used multiple hoses from a crane and the street to try to control the blaze, which started around 9:30 p.m. and continued to burn for several hours. Flames licked the roof and appeared to be consuming the second floor ceiling. Church officials told CBC News there were no residences in the building, but at least one neighboring single occupancy (SRO) building had to be evacuated because of the fire. Dozens of firefighters were at the scene for most of the evening, just outside the intersection of East Hastings and Main Streets. A raging fire at 175 E Hastings St continues to burn despite the efforts of multiple firefighters, including a crane and 2-3 ground hoses Fire is located on Church Street. A person who does music ministry & gives food there and cries as she says she is “broken hearted” but faithful pic.twitter.com/ZR5DdzTOFc —@davidpball The Vancouver Street church serves the Downtown Eastside neighborhood and had just held its 6:30 p.m. worship service. and the food offering hours before the fire broke out in her building. “I’m devastated,” said the church’s lead pastor, Christina Dawson. “We reach out to people on the street, the homeless, the poor, the alcoholics, the drug addicts, we also feed them food, give them hot dogs and care packages. “I’m beside myself.” The area has seen a series of devastating fires in recent months, including one that left two dead at the nearby Winters Hotel and displaced dozens of local residents. A former priest at the church, Jen Allan, said it is a vital part of the Downtown Eastside community. Vancouver Fire Department extinguishes a fire at 175 East Hastings St. in the Downtown Eastside. (David P. Ball/CBC) “Street Church has been here for 28 years,” he said. “For this community, it’s a beacon of hope.” No injuries were reported at the time of publication. Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry was on scene as crews battled the fire. “With heavy smoke damage, it appears to have started in the back of the building,” Fry said in an interview at the scene. “We’re trying to evacuate the apartment building next to it. We’re working hard to get everyone out of that building and away from the smoke.” It’s happening now, just off Hastings and main pic.twitter.com/WdrRPnJCAi —@liam_britten
