Smoke and flames billowed from a Meredith Rd. home Thursday evening, however no-one was found on site when fire crews arrived. It's believed the home was derelict and potentially a site for criminal activity. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

house fire

‘Home is well known to us:’ woman seen walking away from Meredith Rd. home before fire

Apr 14, 2023 | 8:59 AM

NANAIMO — A home near the hospital is all but destroyed following a fire which is currently under investigation.

Four Nanaimo Fire Rescue trucks responded to a home in the 1600 block of Meredith Rd. around 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 13 with 21 firefighters involved in the efforts.

Capt. Dan Multari told NanaimoNewsNOW while on scene the home went up in flames quickly.

“We arrived to a two-storey wood frame structure with heavy smoke and fire from what we call the alpha [street facing] and bravo side, fully involved on the left side of the house.”

Crews knocked the fire down quickly with two hand lines, fed by a hydrant around 250 feet away from the home.

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A section of Meredith Rd. between Thunderbird Dr. and Duggan Rd. was closed for a couple of hours with Nanaimo RCMP on scene conducting traffic control.

Multari said the cause of the fire is under investigation however it appeared to originate from the kitchen area.

“No one home, it appears the house could be a derelict home and no occupants inside.”

No injuries were reported and fire investigators will continue their work on Friday.

Nanaimo RCMP are waiting results from the fire investigator to see whether the file will be turned over to them.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said witnesses reported seeing someone leave the property shortly before flames broke out.

“The one resident (the woman) of the home was seen walking away from the fire approximately ten minutes earlier. The home is well known to us, it’s basically a squat for marginalized individuals to sleep in and carry out drug activity.”

O’Brien said officers have visited the home a considerable number of times.

He added police know who the woman is, but as of Friday morning hadn’t located her.

Anyone with information regarding this fire is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250 754 2345.

The top floor of a home on Meredith Rd., a few blocks from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, were destroyed following a fire Thursday evening. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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