An early morning house fire left two Victoria families out in the cold as temperatures dipped below zero and snow fell overnight.
Firefighters encountered 30-foot flames upon arrival at the home in the 3000-block of Quadra Street, while responding to reports of a chimney fire shortly before 2 a.m. The homeowners — a couple with a 10-month-old baby — were able to vacate the building safely as well as a couple and their pet who lived in the basement suite.
Remnants of an early morning house fire in 3000-block Quadra that left family of 3 and 2 bsmnt suite tenants out in the cold, no fatalities pic.twitter.com/k2uefTD8fg
— Victoria News (@VictoriaNews) November 3, 2017
Crews had to tear down ceilings to reach the source of the fire, deep within the attic and walls. No damage was reported to neighbouring houses despite the heat of the fire.
BC Hydro disconnected power and VicPD were on scene controlling traffic. Emergency Social Services were required as the couple in the lower suite needed housing for the night, to which BC Transit provided transportation.
The fire was contained to a portion of the attic space and front living room, though the suite below sustained heavy water damage. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation but damage is estimated around the $250,000 mark.
