Photo: CTV

A homeowner grabbed a garden hose to battle a house fire, Friday, in New Westminster.

The man came home to find his house ablaze and did what he could until firefighters arrived.

Neighbours joined in, too, but stepped back once fire crews arrived. 

The fire broke out in the area of Sherbrooke and Garrett streets, near Royal Columbian Hospital.

The older home is expected to be a total loss.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

– with files from CTV Vancouver