Huge Vancouver fire burns 130-year-old heritage building with new Italian restaurant
A major fire in East Vancouver last night has left several people without a home and closed a recently-opened Italian restaurant until further notice.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) responded to the blaze at the DePencier House, a mixed-use building at 151 East 8th Ave., around 8:18 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Assistant Chief Pierre Morin, the fire appeared to start in one of the bedrooms, with smoke and flames showing from the third floor.
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“There were no injuries, but six people were displaced,” Morin told Daily Hive.
“Seven fire trucks and 28 firefighters were there until 11:30 p.m. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.”
The fire at the DePencier House, which was constructed in the late 1800s, burned through to the back of the building and through power lines, which knocked out power for several blocks in the neighbourhood.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services
Photos shared on social media also showed the extent of the fire, with a window facing East 8th Avenue completely burned away.
There was a fire this evening at 153 E 8th Avenue in Mount Pleasant. This led to the whole neighborhood going without electricity for over 2 hours. pic.twitter.com/mtJ01JlGGB
— Bruno Baronet (@BrunoBaronet) March 26, 2026
Vancouver Fire #vancouverfire #vfd pic.twitter.com/mxFedTyGSE
— Gregory Geipel (@gregorygeipel) March 26, 2026
Traffic was also diverted away while firefighters battled the flames at the building, which also housed Dandy Barbers.
Osteria Otto, which only recently opened at 151 East 8th Ave. in December, posted an update to Instagram alerting guests that the restaurant would be “closed until further notice.”
“Nestled in the heart of Mount Pleasant, Otto brings together the spirit of Italian osterie, the intimacy of Japanese hi-fi bars, and the warmth of Mediterranean flavours,” reads the restaurant’s description on OpenTable.
Osteria Otto
Osteria Otto
Vancouver city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung posted a message of support to Osteria Otto and everyone affected by the fire on her Instagram stories.
“Absolutely devastating for Osteria Otto, the longstanding barber shop, and our city,” wrote Kirby-Yung. “This is such a special old house/building and block in our city.