Investigators have determined what started a fire that damaged three Vancouver homes and displaced 11 people earlier this month.
On Oct. 7 just before 8 p.m., firefighters responded to East Pender Street in Strathcona and saw heavy flames coming from three residential homes.
Nearby trees also caught fire sending flames 100 feet into the air.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services upgraded it to a three-alarm fire and 55 firefighters were on scene due to the number of structures involved.
At one point, a ruptured gas line was burned at the rear of a building.
The department has now determined the cause of the fire: a "carelessly discarded cigarette at the rear of the property."
Vancouver Fire says the cigarette ignited combustibles and spread to trees and homes nearby.
"A reminder that smoking material should only be discarded in a metal container of water or sand. Never off balconies, in planters, out of cars or around vegetation,” said a spokesperson with the fire department.
One family lost their house and all their belongings. A GoFundMe was created for the parents and their two children.
The fire resulted in 11 people being displaced and two people being treated for smoke inhalation.
