Seven people in Mill Bay are homeless after their house went up in flames on Friday morning.
The fire broke out at a property in the 3000-block of Telegraph Road just after 8 a.m.
Mill Bay Fire Chief Ron Beck says the house was fully engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived.
Seven people, including five kids aged 9 through 14-years-old, and four pets were all outside when firefighters got to the scene.
No one was injured and the house is a complete write-off, the chief says.
According to Beck, the fire may have started on the back patio and worked its way into the house.
Firefighters from Shawnigan Lake and Cowichan Bay assisted with the blaze.
Social services is working with the individuals to figure out the next steps.
