Aftermath of a serious structure fire in Nanaimo's Uplands neighbourhood in the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 5. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

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One person rescued, home significantly damaged in Nanaimo fire

Nov 5, 2024 | 11:40 AM

NANAIMO — One person was rescued from an early morning house fire in Nanaimo’s Uplands neighbourhood.

The fire broke out shortly before 4:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov 5 at a home on Hillside Ave. Near Dix Rd. beneath Cottle Hill.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) captain and fire prevention officer Alan Millbank said flames shooting from the home are believed to have originated from the building’s exterior.

“The crews came and found three sides of the building were fully involved, they pulled a patient from the structure, and I’ve been basically looking at it as of this morning around 10 a.m.”

Nobody else was home at the time, Millbank said.

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Later in the morning smoke was seen rising once again from the home, prompting NFR crews to again respond to the home after 10:00 a.m.

This time the fire had originated from inside the home in the attic, Milbank said.

He noted the flare-up fire was in a challenging location where materials likely heated up to the point of ignition.

“It’s probably from leftover heat from the previous fire, it was in a very difficult spot to extinguish. It’s possible there were some embers leftover from the fire extinguishment.”

A vehicle in front of the home and adjoining garage were also damaged by the fire.

Editors note: On Wednesday, Nov. 6 Millbank confirmed the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

Investigators aren’t immediately sure what caused the fire, resulting in a person being rescued from a Hillside Ave. home in Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes