A weekend blaze that injured a woman and left 18 people homeless in Nanaimo is being investigated as suspicious.
The blaze broke out at a five-unit residential building in the 200-block of Sabiston Street just before 1 a.m. Saturday.
Flames sparked on a porch quickly engulfed one suite, before spreading to a neighbour’s apartment and along the overhang of the building.
“We heard that we thought was fighting outside. By the time we opened the door, we could see the fire obviously and we ran outside,” said tenant Andy Arsenault.
Nanaimo RCMP has taken over the case and is investigating the fire as a possible arson.
“Based on what we know, some forensic evidence gained and where the fire started, we believe the fire to be suspicious,” said Const. Gary O’Brien.
Investigators say there were no fire extinguishers or working smoke detectors in any of the suites. CTV News has reached out to the owners of the building but has yet to hear back.
“If their windows were open and the smoke had gone into the building, they would’ve been told sooner than later then they would’ve got out sooner than later,” said fire prevention officer Umesh Lal.
A woman suffered third-degree burns to her upper body and an elderly man who was pulled to safety was scraped and bruised, but everyone managed to escape the fire alive.
Residents told CTV News none of the occupants had tenant insurance, leaving them without their personal belongings. It’s unknown if or when they’ll be able to re-enter the building to collect them.
“We were told everything is badly smoke damaged in our house,” said Charnelle Robinson. “So we don’t know what’s there that we can salvage at all.”
Those displaced have been temporarily put up at a local hotel until they can find alternative housing.
