Two people were injured, one critically, in a house fire that broke out in Esquimalt late Canada Day.
Crews were called to the home in the 600-block of Admirals Road at around 8:45 p.m.
Flames were seen shooting out of the roof and black smoke was pouring from the house as crews attacked the blaze.
A couple, believed to be in their 60s, were rescued from the burning building by firefighters and taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.
As of Thursday morning, one of the rescued people was believed to be in critical condition while the other was in fair condition.
It could have been much worse if not for the life-risking actions of Esquimalt firefighters, who burst into the burning building, scooped up the couple and got them to safety.
“Our crews are trained for these types of operations which allow us to effectively rescue people if it’s safe to do so,” said Esquimalt Fire Chief Chris Jancowski.
The firefighters had to retreat because it was too hot inside the home, and they switched to a defensive attack.
The fire burned for several hours until it was extinguished.
Investigators believe it may have been sparked at the back of the house, but they are still trying to determine whether it originated outside or inside.
Officials say it does not appear to have been suspicious. A cause has not yet been determined.
