The BC Coroner's Service is investigating a massive fire that claimed a life in Cumberland over the weekend.
Flames broke out at a home early Saturday morning before spreading to two others, including a home inhabited by a man who lived by himself, according to neighbours.
The man was unaccounted for following the fire and fire officials later confirmed the investigation had been handed over to the BC Coroner's Service and RCMP.
A coroner confirmed someone had died in the blaze but did not confirm their identity.
Two people were evacuated from one of the other homes and a third house was unoccupied.
In all, two homes were destroyed and a third was badly damaged.
"Flames just looked like they were shooting 40, 50 feet into the air," said neighbour Dennis Rye. "Really, really a pile of flames."
Rye's wife spotted embers on their sundeck then woke him up. The pair then saw the glow of the fire three blocks away.
When Cumberland Fire crews arrived the first home was fully engulfed and flames were rapidly spreading.
"There was heavy, heavy damage. The house collapsed within 10 minutes of myself being here and it was fully involved," said Deputy Fire Chief Craig Windley. "There was just no gaining entry into that one structure."
The community is now rallying to help the families who lost their homes in the fire.
"Going through that devastation is just unreal, so I just feel like we all can give such a small part and it will make such a big difference," said neighbour Heather McLeod.
Esso in Cumberland is collecting cash donations for the victims, and residents planned to set up donation accounts at a local credit union for both families.
Fire investigators say the cause of the blaze is not yet known.
