An early morning fire on Poplar St. in central Nanaimo torched a vehicle and caused minor smoke and water damage to the adjacent building. (submitted photo/Vicky Lynn Ferguson)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Jan 31, 2022 | 12:07 PM

NANAIMO — An early morning fire torched a vehicle in the Brechin Hill neighbourhood.

Fire Rescue and RCMP were called out to a residential parkade in the 600 block of Poplar St. on Monday, Jan. 31 just before 7 a.m.

A blue Mitsubishi was fully engulfed by fire with neighbours reporting to firefighters a man had walked out of the smoke.

“Police found the male nearby, who said he had been sleeping in the parkade, had been woken up by the smoke and left,” Cst. Sherri Wade said in a release.

No serious injuries were reported from the incident, however the vehicle was completely destroyed.

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Nearby residents were quickly evacuated with neighbours telling NanaimoNewsNOW a few were tended to by paramedics on scene.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief Troy Libbus said a substantial response from their department was sent to the scene.

“There was minor damage to the complex, crews extinguished it very quickly.”

An investigation into the fire continues.

Police are appealing for any dash cam or security footage from the area between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Monday morning to be sent to them.

Those with information are asked to contact the non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

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