Drone footage has emerged showing the remains of a gas station on Vancouver Island that was completely gutted by fire last week.
On Thursday, June 17th, the Mid-Island Co-Op gas station in Whiskey Creek, located between Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni, was destroyed by fire after a van caught fire while the owner was fueling up.
According to photos and video posted online, heavy black smoke could be seen for kilometres and witnesses reported hearing an explosion.
The fire began while the owner of a van was filling the vehicle up with gas when the fuel burst into flames.
One person was transported to hospital.
Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs-Hilliers, Errington, and Dashwood fire departments responded to the fire.
Shortly after the fire, the company released a statement stating that all staff are safe and accounted for and “will be supported by the Co-op through this difficult time.”
“We would like to acknowledge and thank the multiple fire departments and their dedicated personnel who responded with an incredibly organized effort to protect the safety of our team members, customers and community,” Blair Gjevre, Director, Energy Operations said in the statement.
The location will remain closed until further notice.
Below is drone footage that captures the aftermath of the fire at the Whiskey Creek Mid-Island Co-Op:
