By Spencer Sterritt

Temporary housing unit closed after fire prompts evacuation

Apr 8, 2019 | 6:32 PM

NANAIMO — A building unit at the temporary housing complex on Terminal Ave. is shuttered after a fire broke out. 

The blaze started in a room of Building 2 and prompted the entire compex to evacuate around 5:20 p.m. on Monday, April 8. 

No one was hurt in the fire or evacuation. 

Violet Hayes with the housing operators Island Crisis Care Society confirmed sprinklers are not installed in the units, which house roughly 80 people. 

When asked why not, Hayes directed NanaimoNewsNOW to BC Housing, who own the buildings. 

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Roughly 20 people will be displaced from Buidling 2 for the night and likely longer. They will be taken in by the Unitarian Shelter and two other shelters operated by the Society on Monday night. 

Hayes said it’s a distressing time for the vulnerable people living in what’s known as Newcastle Place. 

“These are people and these are their homes. We’re already seeing people who are very distressed because their items are in their rooms and all of their wordly possessions are in there. It’s very sad.” 

Investigators with Nanaimo Fire Rescue will start work on the scene Tuesday morning. 

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