Police, fire and paramedics converged at the 600-block of Gorge Road E. at Government Street in Victoria at approximately noon Wednesday, responding to calls of a person on fire.
Lorie Jimenez, co-owner of the Sub Stop Shop at 680 Gorge Rd E., said shortly after lunch a customer ran through the back door. “He came in and said ‘Oh there’s a man on fire! Do you have a fire extinguisher?’” she said.
Jimenez handed her husband, Jesse Jimenez, the fire extinguisher and he was able to put out the fire before police arrived on scene.
“I’m hoping he’s not injured too badly, but I don’t know, I didn’t see,” she said.
Police say officers arrived on scene and provided immediate assistance and first aid before the Victoria Fire Department and B.C. EHS paramedics arrived.
The man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police are not speculating on how or why the fire began, but an investigation is underway.