By Ian Holmes

Investigators believe Nanaimo townhouse fire was no accident

Oct 24, 2016 | 4:38 PM

NANAIMO — A fire damaging all five units of a south Nanaimo townhouse complex, displacing 18 people, is believed to be suspicious.

Nanaimo RCMP have taken over what’s now a criminal investigation into the early Saturday morning fire at the townhouse on Sabiston Street, off Haliburton. The blaze was started on an outside porch, according to Nanaimo Fire Rescue Inspect. Umesh Lal.

Police don’t have any suspects, according to Const. Gary O’Brien.

“We haven’t concluded exactly what the ignition source was, I know where it was, but we’re still figuring out how it happened,” said Lal.

The fire caused minor injuries to two people, according to Lal. He says one person had smoke inhalation while another has second and third degree burns to her back and shoulders.

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Lal says the fire spread from the porch to inside one of the units.

“It also went along the underside of the roof covering the exterior porch all the way down the building…there’s extensive exterior damage and fire damage to two of the units.”

Lal says the unit with the most damage did not have a working smoke alarm, adding that at least two other units also didn’t have working smoke detectors. Lal points out that several residents that he’s aware of in the complex did not have tenants’ insurance. He says the owner of the rental complex is insured.

Const. O’brien says the displaced are staying at a local motel for the time being.

The fire touched a nerve with the manager of the Palace Hotel, Bernie Gobeil, who has organized a food and clothing drive to help those impacted.

“Most people have lost absolutely everything in the fire,” said Gobeil. “I spoke to one lady who has seven kids and she’s lost absolutely everything, she has nothing.”

Gobeil says clothing, particularly for boys and girls, along witih food is being accepted at the Palace Hotel located at 275 Skinner Street during regular business hours.