Nanaimo Fire Rescue Crews were called to a fire inside at apartment building that destroyed at least two units. The blaze on the second floor of a building in the 1600 block of Dufferin Crescent broke out around 4:30pm on Thursday, January 23. All four of Nanaimo’s fire stations responded.
Assistant Fire Chief Martin Drakely says their fire investigators are on scene trying to determine the cause. There were no injuries. Witnesses say it may have been sparked by a BBQ on the balcony of one of the units. Drakely says they’re trying to clear the smoke from the building and adjacent parkade.
The residents evacuated from the 60-unit apartment building won’t be able to return home until late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Emergency Social Services are looking after the displaced residents in the meantime. Drakely says the residents of the two suites that sustained the most damage in the fire will need to be relocated.
Coast FM’s Sean Eckford filed this report from the scene:
