The back of a family home on Howard Ave. in south Nanaimo was badly damaged Monday afternoon after a fire sparked before 4:30 p.m. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

house fire

Rear of south Nanaimo family home destroyed by fire

Jun 10, 2024 | 5:43 PM

NANAIMO — No-one was injured but a home in the south end has sustained heavy damage following an afternoon fire.

A neighbour to the home in the 600 block of Howard Ave. made a call to 911 just before 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10 after initially hearing crackling noises while upstairs watching TV.

Russ Der told NanaimoNewsNOW he initially thought his wife had returned home, but instead noticed the fire.

“I looked out the window and I saw next door was on fire. I quickly ran downstairs, called 911, got my garden house out and started watering the fire. It was about 10 minutes before the fire department got here.”

The fire was focused around the back of the home, including an overhanging patio.

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Extensive damage was sustained to the home, which is believed to be a family rental property.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews made quick work on the fire once on scene.

Capt. Jody Lucas said their searches for people or pets came back all clear and there were no reported injuries.

“We pulled on scene and had heavy smoke and flames showing from the [back of the house]. Upon further investigation, we found out all the occupants that reside here left the building and we proceeded to knock down the fire.”

Nanaimo Fire Loss Prevention will investigate the cause of the fire, Lucas said.

Traffic along Howard Ave. was partially obstructed for over an hour as crews worked on the scene.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews quickly handled a fire at a home on Howard Ave., arriving to see heavy smoke and flames coming from the home. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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