Multiple Saanich fire crews are actively battling a major structure fire on Linwood Ave this morning.
Firefighters have taped off access to the 3200-block of Linwood Ave as they work to combat a house fire.
Heather Stewart, who lives on adjacent Inverness Road, tells Victoria Buzz that she was walking her dog up Linwood Ave at around 7:45 a.m. on Friday morning when she saw smoke coming out of a house.
See also: Eight people displaced after structure fire in North Cowichan
Soon after, a woman ran out of the burning residence naked as she had just been in the shower. Stewart knocked on a neighbour’s door to procure a blanket for her. The neighbour then called 911.
Within 10 seconds, a huge explosion was heard coming from inside the house that seemed to originate in the attic.
Stewart and other neighbours then went around and woke up people living in houses nearby and, according to her, were able to successfully evacuate everyone.
The woman who ran out of the house told authorities that there was no one else inside when the fire broke out.
As of the time of publication, firefighters are working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby residences.
A shroud of thick, black smoke can be seen blanketing the area surrounding the house.
Videos by a next-door neighbour, Lauren Waldner:
More to come.
