A house in Nanoose Bay was destroyed by fire on Aug. 20, but fortunately the homeowner escaped without serious injury.
Ken Humphreys was driving back from dinner on his way home to Parksville when he saw smoke.
“We noticed a lady standing on her balcony with a lot of smoke around her,” he said. “So we backed up, pulled in and the house next door to her was just totally engulfed in flames.”
Nanoose Bay Volunteer Fire Department was called out to Dolphin Drive at approximately 6:35 p.m. and received assistance from Parksville Fire Rescue, according to Nanoose Fire Chief Leo Groenewegen.
“It was fully involved when we got there. We had an engine there within 12 minutes of being paged out and were able to get water on,” Groenewegen said. “We were able to save the homes on either side and prevent it from spreading up the hill as well.”
Humphreys happened to drive by shortly before the fire department arrived and tried to help by hosing down the neighbouring home’s deck to protect it from the flying embers. He was also concerned the fire could spread along the grass between the homes.
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The homeowner was treated for some minor injuries by paramedics, Groenewegen said. Several firefighters also suffered from heat exhaustion, but were treated and able to continue fighting the fire.
Unfortunately, the location of the homeowner’s cats is unknown.
Firefighters knocked down the blaze within about three hours, according to Groenewegen, and remained on scene finishing up until 1:30 a.m.
Nanoose Bay responded with five vehicles and Parksville sent a fire engine to assist.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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