By Kyle Ireland

One home destroyed, another badly damaged in pair of Sunday morning fires

Jul 15, 2018 | 10:59 AM

Nanaimo Fire Rescue says eight people are displaced but lucky to be alive after a pair of early Sunday morning fires.

Chief Karen Fry said the first fire broke out around 3 a.m. Sunday, July 15 in the 3500 block of Uplands Dr. Seven people and a dog were able to get out safely and the home suffered “extensive” damage.

“One person was transported to hospital with smoke inhalation. He, from what I understand, went back into the house on several occasions trying unsuccessfully to get his dog out. Our fire crews were able to rescue the dog.”

Fry said some of the firefighters dealing with the Uplands blaze were then called away to a fully involved fire in a home at 45 Haliburton St. about 30 minutes later.

One person got out safely but the home was destroyed, Fry said.

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“It’s very fortunate (it didn’t spread) because the trees and bushes around the home were also on fire.”

Fry said it’s believed neither home had working smoke alarms.

“We had two fires involving eight people that easily could have had different outcomes if they didn’t wake up on their own. Working smoke alarms increase your chance of survival by over 75 per cent in a house fire,” Fry said. 
 
The cause of both fires is still under investigation.

kyle@nanaimonewsnow.com