A multi-storey building suffered $250,000 damage on March 6. Victoria Fire Department was called to the building at Cormorant and Blanchard streets around 10:30 a.m. for significant smoke.
A resident of Denby Place says the alarm started going off approximately 10:20 a.m. The resident, who lives on third floor, could smell smoke from hallway of the second floor.
According to Victoria Fire captain Jeremey Wilson some residents will be let back in within the hour pic.twitter.com/TKrwPh0o8h
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) March 6, 2019
Victoria Fire Captain Jeremy Wilson and his team were the first ones on scene, seeing heavy smoke when they arrived.
Upon entering the building through a first floor balcony, the crew encountered heavy smoke with zero visibility. The crew found the room where the fire started and after dousing the fire, set about clearing smoke from all floors of the building so residents could return.
“We came into heavy smoke in the hallway and it took us a while to find the scene of the fire, but we did find it in the bedroom which we were able to put out fairly quickly,” says Wilson.
READ ALSO: New 650-metre high skywalk to be built on the Malahat
According to Victoria Fire captain Jeremey Wilson some residents will be let back in within the hour pic.twitter.com/TKrwPh0o8h
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) March 6, 2019
Fire damage was contained to the room of origin with smoke and water damage affecting the adjacent suite and floor below. The damage is estimated at $250,000.
Deputy Chief Dan Atkinson confirmed the cause of the fire is still unknown.
“We won’t know the cause probably for quite some time,” says Atkinson. “We have an investigator who will go down and take a look at the scene and they’ll make a determination as best they’re able to.”
READ ALSO: Pat Bay Highway crash snarls morning commute at McKenzie Avenue in Saanich
An investigator must wait until the ventilation has been finished before they can enter and begin their investigation.
“Depending on the level of complexity an investigation could take anywhere from an hour to several hours,” says Atkinson.
BREAKING: firefighters are on scene on the corner of Cormorant st. and Blanshard @VictoriaNews pic.twitter.com/3ZDS3hrMG8
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) March 6, 2019
Emergency Social Services is working with the tenant of the apartment where the fire broke out to determine the level of assistance needed after the investigation has been completed.
Fire fighters currently packing up hose @VictoriaNews pic.twitter.com/Fk2Xh7Cc7T
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) March 6, 2019
Fire wearing face mask to protect from smoke on each floor @VictoriaNews pic.twitter.com/aAhHJJMbEG
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) March 6, 2019
kendra.crighton@blackpress.caFollow us on Instagram
