A Dockside Way home in Nanaimo's Cathers Lake area sustained substantial damage following an accidental fire caused by lit candles. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

cause determined

Candles spark significant Nanaimo house fire

Nov 6, 2025 | 2:07 PM

NANAIMO — A serious late-night Nanaimo house fire has been deemed accidental.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue deputy chief Stu Kenning said an investigation revealed lit candles in the basement near where a man was sleeping caused the fire in the city’s Cathers Lake area on Sunday, Nov 2 at about 11 p.m.

Significant fire and smoke damage was inflicted to the two-storey Dockside Way home, Kenning said.

“The fire did burn up from the basement through the floor joisting to the upper floor,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Kenning said the home’s lone occupant downstairs, who was downstairs sleeping at the time, was taken to hospital for observation but was not hurt.

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Kenning said it’s not clear if the candles were knocked over, or if contact with combustible material was made.

Candle-related fires are less common than they used to be locally, Kenning said.

“I’d advise you to think about switching to battery-powered candles, they are much safer. And if you are going to use a candle, please don’t leave them unattended and make sure they are on a hard, non-combustible surface.”

While the home’s fate is up to insurance adjustors, Kenning said it will likely have to be rebuilt.

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