Nanaimo Fire Rescue says 2 homes may be complete write-offs, and a third is damaged after an early morning blaze.
Firefighters were called out to the 1-thousand block of Southwood Drive around 2 Sunday morning.
When they got there, one house was already fully engulfed in flame and the fire had spread to a neighbouring house. High winds blew embers from the fire to a third house, causing some exterior damage.
Everybody in the homes was able to get out safely, and there are no reports of injuries.
Six people have been left with nowhere to stay. They’re getting help from the Community Assistance Program.
Crews remain on scene, and it’s likely they’ll be there much of the day as the investigation into the cause continues.
Assistant Chief of Operations, Martin Drakeley, says they were concerned about the impact of the hot dry weather as they fought the blaze.
“This was a very intense fire that spread very rapidly to the neighbouring homes. The hot, dry weather and windy conditions had us very concerned that flying embers could spread the fire further,” he says.
