Flames shot out of the former #2 Fire Hall along Victoria Rd. early Friday, Aug. 9 from a fire which is currently under investigation. (submitted photo/Hugh Dinsmore)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

heritage building

Early morning fire damages old Fire Hall in downtown Nanaimo

Aug 9, 2024 | 9:50 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties are investigating an early morning fire at a heritage building in the city’s downtown.

A patrolling Nanaimo RCMP officer spotted flames coming from the former #2 Fire Hall on Victoria Rd., shortly before 5 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, and alerted Fire Rescue crews.

Umesh Lal, a fire prevention officer with Nanaimo Fire Rescue said flames were quickly extinguished, but not before some damage both inside and out.

“The building has a sprinkler system so that went off…there’s smoke and water damage inside.”

Fire Prevention Officer Umesh Lal begins working along Victoria Rd., looking to the cause of an early morning fire. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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An exterior sign, original to the building, was badly damaged as well as an alcove just inside a locked gate.

A considerable amount of debris was also left in front of the building, however it’s unclear how much was from the building and the fire itself.

Lal was unable to say what caused the blaze.

RCMP told NanaimoNewsNOW the patrol member noticed a “considerable amount of flames and smoke” coming out of the building.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien added it’s believed the fire was purposely set.

“We’ve had consultation with Nanaimo Fire Rescue and we believe there’s an external source, there’s no reason for a fire to start where it was.”

Mounties are canvassing the surrounding area for any security camera footage and are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the detachment at 250 754 2345.

Considerable debris was seen outside the gates where the fire occurred. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The hall, built in 1893, is one of roughly 50 buildings or sites around Nanaimo built or developed in the mid to late 1800s.

It is presently home to a small number of businesses including a restaurant, Bar Luna, and was set to house a warming centre last winter.

Bar Luna posted on their Facebook page Friday morning they will be closed for an undetermined period of time following the fire.

The fire damaged a sign, original to the 1893 building, along with parts of the brick exterior and inside alcove. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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