A Saanich house was destroyed by a fire in the early hours of Thursday morning, according to the Saanich Fire Department and police are investigating the “suspicious” incident.
Crews were called to a large structure fire in the 4100-block of Carey Road around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 10. When firefighters arrived they found the house fully engulfed and began a defensive response to the blaze, attacking it from the outside only.
While 18 firefighters, three engines, a ladder truck and a rescue truck responded to the fire, the house was destroyed – with damages estimated around $300,000.
Rob Jones, platoon captain for the Saanich Fire Department, said there were no injuries reported. Firefighters remained on scene putting out hot spots. Saanich police secured the scene until a fire investigator advised if an investigation was necessary.
On Thursday afternoon, the Saanich Police Department said the fire had been deemed suspicious. Police were called to the same property around 10 p.m. on Wednesday – just a few hours before the fire was reported – for a dispute between the landlord and a tenant. Officers didn’t find any occupants when they arrived and cleared the scene at the time.
Police said detectives were working with the fire department’s investigators to collect evidence.
“It is too early to determine if there is any correlation to the report called in to the home last night and the fire hours later,” said Const. Markus Anastasiades, public information officer for the Saanich police, adding that no one was home during the fire.
Carey Road was temporarily closed but reopened to traffic Thursday morning.
A Saanich house was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Thursday morning (early as in around 12:30 am). Fortunately, no one is believed to have been home during the blaze. Crews are investigating. (Video by witness Mark McAllister) pic.twitter.com/zHpLCeDdA9
— Nina Grossman (@NinaGrossman) September 10, 2020
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