Saanich Police and Fire Department are investigating an overnight fire at a house on Carey Road by Panama Flats.
According to a tweet from Saanich Police, the fire began around 12:30 a.m. and led to an overnight road closure in both directions.
Deputy Fire Chief Frank Macdonald of the Saanich Fire Department said that the fire started at a single-family dwelling in the 4100 block of Carey Road.
“Units found a single-family dwelling that was fully involved, flames were starting to go through the roof,” said Macdonald in an interview with Victoria Buzz. “It was too dangerous to go into the interior on it.”
He said crews were able to conclude their operations by 4 a.m., but a fire watch crew remained on site due to safety issues until 8 a.m.
Macdonald added that the site is now under the control of Saanich Police and is being investigated as a suspicious incident.
“To the best of our knowledge the building was unoccupied and there were no injuries,” he said. “The damage is extensive; there’s basically four walls and part of a roof left.”
Eyewitness photos from the incident show a building engulfed in flames with large plumes of smoke rising from the scene.
Video of last night's residential structure fire near the Panama Flats. According to @SaanichPolice, the residential blaze in the 4100 blk of Carey Rd began around12:30 a.m. No reported injuries. @SaanichFire still investigating the cause. Video by Bruce Arbeau #victoriabuzz #yyj pic.twitter.com/K0ChUS4QCG
— Victoria Buzz (@victoriabuzzes) September 10, 2020
Saanich Police say the investigation is ongoing and the homeowner has been contacted.
