A woman in her 60s has sadly succumbed to injuries sustained in an early morning fire that tore through multiple units of a Saanich apartment complex early Friday morning.
According to a statement from the District of Saanich, the resident was found unresponsive in a fourth floor hallway of the Brookside Manor building (2623 Richmond Road) at the corner of Richmond and Haultain.
See also: Crews extinguish large multi-unit apartment fire in Saanich (UPDATED)
Saanich Police and BC Coroners Service are investigating the incident.
.@SaanichPolice Detective Sgt Damian Kowalewich confirms the person who died is a woman in her 60s
— Brishti Basu (@brish_ti) June 21, 2019
“The circumstances surrounding the death are still under investigation, and no further details will be released pending contact with the Next of Kin,” stated Saanich Police Staff Sgt. Chris Horsley.
Two other people have been taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation injuries, after the fire broke out at around 4:30 a.m. and blazed for roughly two hours.
Four people were trapped on the balconies of the building and had to be rescued by first responders.
Early morning structure fire at 2623 Richmond Rd originated on the 4th floor of a multi-unit apartment complex. It has been confirmed that one woman in her 60s died from injuries sustained in the fire. Two others were taken to the hospital with serious injuries #yyjnews pic.twitter.com/GQL9Qod4dO
— Victoria Buzz (@victoriabuzzes) June 21, 2019
According to Saanich Fire, first responders found heavy smoke and a significant fire when they first attended the site.
The 4-story apartment complex was evacuated by first responders, and a reception has been set up at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre to assist displaced residents.
Around 50 people were affected by the fire and evacuated by first responders.
Detective Sgt. Damian Kowalewich told media that the investigation is currently in its early stages and it is too soon to state whether or not the fire was suspicious.
