Photo: CTV

Residents battled flames themselves before fleeing to safety from a house fire in New Westminster Monday night.

The fire broke out about 10 p.m. in the Sapperton area of the city.

Neighbour Dre Weiss said he saw flames coming up the side of the house and alerted the occupants.

"I just ran up the steps and started pounding on the door," he told CTV.

The residents were already trying to fight the fire themselves, but gave up when they realized how quickly it was spreading.

Firefighters doused the flames, but not before the older home was gutted.

It's believed the fire may have started in a garbage can outside the home.

– with files from CTV Vancouver