Vancouver firefighters were battling a two-alarm blaze at an African drum store on Broadway Sunday night.
The fire started in a building that houses the African Arts and Percussion Shop, between Columbia and Manitoba streets, next to a restaurant.
People who said they nearby reported that they left the building early. Cooks from next door said the same.
WATCH: Firefighters battle blaze at African arts store on West Broadway
“We were just heading out, having a drink. Then all of a sudden a big bang on the door,” said one person who claimed to live in the building.
“It was one of the employees from downstairs, they tell us what’s going on… took a look out the window, saw the blaze, and we just grabbed a few things and now we’re out here.”
“Couldn’t see the fire, so risky, so scary. My delivery driver saw it, and I called 9-1-1,” said a cook from the restaurant next door.
Fire officials have not yet said whether anyone was hurt, or what may have caused the fire.
Vancouver firefighters tweeted at 11:40 that the blaze had been extinguished, and crews would be on scene for several hours.