A transport van was consumed by flames after its driver noticed smoke during the morning commute on Tuesday, Jan 28. (Amy Pye)
Morning fires

VIDEO: Van goes up in flames on Bowen Rd. on busy morning for Nanaimo firefighters

Jan 28, 2020 | 2:57 AM

NANAIMO — A man escaped injury after his transport van caught fire on Bowen Rd.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief Geoff Whitting said their crews responded to the 1800 block of Bowen Rd. near Townsite Rd. on Tuesday just after 8:00 a.m.

He said the driver of a Ford transit van noticed smoke coming from the dash of the vehicle, pulled over and managed to get out of the burning vehicle.

Whitting said it’s unclear what caused the van fire, which is under Nanaimo Fire Rescue investigation.

It was a busy morning for Nanaimo firefighters, who also responded to a house fire on Seventh St. near Howard Ave. just after midnight.

Whitting said fire began in the basement, sending three occupants from the home.

He said two people were checked on scene for possible smoke inhalation and released.

Whitting said the displaced occupants were not insured, while the home did have working smoke alarms.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue is also investigating the cause of the Seventh St. fire.

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