Traffic was backed up both directions on Highway 19A just north of Qualicum Beach as firefighters and other first responders battle a reported structure fire in Dashwood on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Oceanside RCMP told Black Press there were no injuries reported in the incident, which was described as a barn fire.
The initial call came in to the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department shortly before 2:45 p.m. Wednesday. It eventually drew multiple fire departments, Oceanside RCMP and B.C. Ambulance Service members to a property in the 4000 block of Highway 19A, near the intersection of Barton Road.
After traffic was initially stopped in both directions to provide responders access, it had resumed in a single-lane, alternating pattern. Extended delays continued.
A mutual aid call drew firefighters from the Qualicum Beach, Errington, and Parksville volunteer fire departments to join Dashwood firefighters. Errington and Parksville firefighters were released from the scene by 3:20 p.m., but other firefighters remain, along with police and ambulance personnel.
With no fire hydrants nearby in the rural region, firefighters pumped from tanker trucks supplied by the Errington and Parksville Departments.
