Weekend Fires Hit Business & Residence

"It is not very common to have two structure fires of this severity in two days however the majority of structure fires do occur in the downtown area. Neither fire is suspicious at this time and we hope to have the investigations completed shortly."  -  Captain Ennis Mond Nanaimo Fire Rescue 

At approximately 9pm Saturday February 13th crews responded to a commercial building in the 300 block of Wallace Street.  Smoke was present upon arrival and crews entered the building to find a fire on the third floor.  The fire was quickly knocked down and contained to the one business with extension into the attic space above.  A business was operating on the first floor at the time, and all occupants self-evacuated safely.  There were no injuries.  The entire building remains closed until the investigation is complete at which time it will be determined which businesses can reopen.

Shortly after 6pm on Sunday February 14th crews responded to a structure fire in a house on Gillespie Street.  Crews arrived to find heavy flames from the front of the house.  Two occupants had self-evacuated safely however a family dog succumbed to the fire.  One occupant was treated by BC Ambulance for smoke inhalation and later released.  The house is heavily damaged by fire and smoke, and the residents will be displaced for some time. 

Fire Investigators attended both fires over the weekend and will finalize their investigations early this week.  The cause of either fire has not yet been determined.