Massive fire rips through East Hastings building (VIDEO)

UPDATE: According to News1130, it is possible a mother and son in the building were not able to escape, but fire crews have not confirmed the information.

EARLIER:

A massive overnight fire has destroyed an abandoned warehouse on East Hastings within the Strathcona neighbourhood.

The fire broke out just after 2 a.m. this morning at 955 East Hastings Street, near Glen Drive. Two people were squatting at the site when the fire broke out, and when firefighters arrived they rescued the individuals who were found hanging on the side of the second storey windows.

By 6 a.m., the fire was under control, but the site still remained too dangerous for firefighters to enter. The site was scheduled for demolition – it will be redeveloped into Strathcona Village, a 279-unit mixed-used residential project by the Wall Group.

Hastings Street from Clark Avenue to Hawks Avenue is currently closed to traffic. According to TransLink, the no. 14, 16, 135 and 160 buses are being rerouted: westbound via Commercial, Powell, Main and Hastings; eastbound via Hastings, Cordova, Powell and Commercial.

The street closure and reroutes are expected to last until 9 a.m.

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UPDATE: Crews tackle massive fire in East Vancouver http://t.co/8V5TtFoSQb pic.twitter.com/Z0SEUwrvS7

— CTV Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) April 13, 2015

Big fire somewhere around East Hastings just east of Chinatown #vancouver @News1130radio pic.twitter.com/D3m8EwN0px

— Dick Low (@EagerBeaverWeb) April 13, 2015

Strathcona Village overlooks Vancouver’s port – in district rezoned for industry AND housing. http://t.co/WQnMhgstg3 pic.twitter.com/YiFrARtFfw

— CNMushka (@CNMushka) January 19, 2015