Early morning structure fire damages three homes

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 28, 2015 8:28 AM

Summary

At 2:00 this morning, Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews responded to a structure fire in the 1000 block of Southwood Dr. Upon their arrival, the house was fully involved in fire it had begun to spread to the home next door. The house where the fire started is a total loss, the neighbouring home suffered extensive structural damage and may also be a loss. A third house next door received exterior damage due to high winds blowing embers and from the intensity of this very large, hot fire.

All occupants were able to escape and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Community Assistance Program volunteers assisted the occupants and six people have been displaced to this point.

City of Nanaimo Engineering and Public Works staff attended and set up equipment to control debris in the water runoff. BC Ambulance and RCMP were also in attendance assisting with this significant fire.

Crews remain on scene at this time as the incident enters the final stages. Fire Investigators are also on scene and have started their investigation but it is too early to determine the exact cause.

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo is committed to public safety.

Key Points

Fully involved structure fire causes damage to three homes.
All occupants were able to escape and there were no injuries.
Hot dry weather added challenges as NFR crews managed flying embers and operated in high temperature conditions.

Quotes

"This was a very intense fire that spread very rapidly to the neighbouring homes. The hot, dry weather and windy conditions had us very concerned that flying embers could spread the fire further. "

Martin Drakeley

Assistant Chief of Operations

Nanaimo Fire Rescue

-30-

Contact:

Ennis Mond

Chief Fire Prevention Officer

Nanaimo Fire Rescue

250-755-4563

Print News Release

Is there anything wrong with this page?

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.

Email Address

What you were doing

What went wrong

Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.