Units at a Nanaimo apartment complex were rendered uninhabitable after damage from a blaze on Millstone Avenue this morning.
Nanaimo Fire Rescue, RCMP, B.C. Ambulance Service and B.C. Hydro responded to a structure fire at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the 300 block of Millstone Avenue, near Rosehill Street, where smoke was seen billowing out of a first-floor unit on the right side of the building.
Capt. Chad Porter, of Nanaimo Fire Rescue, said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined and one person was treated on scene for smoke inhalation, but nobody was taken to hospital.
“Upon our arrival, we showed up to a three-storey apartment building with heavy flame and fire, smoke showing from the first floor on the road side,” said Porter. “The back of the building [saw] all three floors fire activity, with occupants self-evacuating.”
Fire looks to be out. pic.twitter.com/lWQLnCiviE
— Karl Yu (@KarlYuBulletin) November 19, 2022
Seven people have been displaced and there was significant fire damage done to suites on the first and second floors of the affected area.
“It was a challenging fire based on the back parking lot is below grade, so elevation was an issue for us, but crews worked quickly and we were able to get the fire under control within a few minutes,” Porter said.
He said it is not known if any of the residents are insured, but emergency support services is assisting the displaced.
“We’re really thankful everyone is out safely,” he said. “They were able to bring a good conclusion, minimizing the damage to the building.”
Four engines and 16 firefighters attended the scene, Fire inspectors will be investigating.
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