Driver evades North Vancouver roadblock, crashes into Vancouver home and ignites fire

An early morning house fire near McGill and Renfrew streets was caused by a vehicle crashing into the home.

North Vancouver RCMP said around midnight a vehicle “blew through” a roadblock on the Main Street on-ramp to Highway One.

Mounties gave chase over the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing bridge and found that the suspect vehicle had crashed into a home.

The driver fled the scene but was quickly arrested.

1:17 Two hospitalized in serious Vancouver crash

Pictures from the scene depict a high-speed collision as the vehicle slammed through a wooden fence and into the home.

The fire caused extensive damage to the home.

North Vancouver RCMP said alcohol consumption is believed to be a factor in the incident.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said the home is uninhabitable and four residents have been displaced.

Firefighters said the blaze was ignited when the suspect vehicle struck a natural gas line. The line quickly turned into a “blow torch” and it took more than an hour to shut off the gas.

Emergency support services have been activated for the displaced residents.