Vancouver firefighters were called to a major fire on East 3rd Avenue, between Ontario and Quebec Streets early Wednesday morning.
The fire broke out around 5 a.m. at the back of Metal and Wood Ltd., a metal fabrication company.
Batallion Chief Kevin Wilson says the fire is believed to have started in a separate wooden structure.
Several explosions were heard at the scene, caused by transformers exploding and power lines arcing. Due to safety issues, crews couldn’t attack the structure directly due to the explosions in the back alley.
Shortly after crews arrived, they upgraded the blaze to a two-alarm fire.
Thirty-three firefighters in total were called to the scene scene.
Once the fire was under control, lots of smoke could still be seen in the area.
WATCH: A Vancouver resident filmed this fire in Vancouver early Wednesday morning. Dozens of firefighters were called out to the scene.
Wilson says no injuries have been reported at this time, but the company is next to a dog taxi daycare and hotel. He says several people and 11 dogs had to be rescued from inside.
“Crews on scene were involved in the rescue of civilians and animals from the dog kennel to the west of the building.”
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One of the dogs went missing. Shirley, a two-year-old Tibetan Mastiff, got spooked after the fire and ran away.
Staff were asking people to look out for Shirley, who was last seen in the area of East 3rd and Ontario.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, police found Shirley safe and sound.
Metal and Wood Ltd. has 18 employees. The owner told Global News he will rebuild his business, which he has owned for about 15 years.
The building has been there since the 1930s.
Quebec Street is still blocked around the fire but other roads are now open.
WATCH: Vancouver Fire Chief Jonathan Gormick gives us an update on the large fire that started in Vancouver, near Olympic Village, early Wednesday.
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