'The whole building was on fire': 2 taken to hospital after Duncan townhouse catches fire
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are investigating an overnight structure fire that sent two people to hospital on Wednesday night.
The fire was reported just before 11 p.m. at a townhouse complex on Dingwall St. in Duncan, B.C. according to the RCMP.
Dave Longchamp, who lives in the building with his wife, says he was alerted to the fire by a loud knock around 10:30 p.m.
"When I opened the door, black smoke was coming up," he said.
Longchamp says he and his wife only had minutes to react and flee the building.
"The whole building was on fire and I could hear the crackle of the flames," he said.
Another resident of the building, Caimen Shapiro, says he was watching TV when a neighbour knocked on his door and told him that her unit was on fire.
"I thought it was just like a little kitchen fire, so I was going to run outside and help put it out," he said.
"But then I got out and it was just the whole building."
Shapiro says he only had time to grab his wallet and passport and escaped with just the clothes he was wearing.
TWO TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
By the time Mounties arrived, firefighters were already on scene and paramedics were treating several residents.
Two of the residents needed further care and were taken to hospital for injuries related to the fire, according to North Cowichan firefighters.
"Investigators will continue to work on this incident to determine what caused this fire," said Staff Sgt. Chris Swain, acting Detachment Commander for the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP.
"The preliminary report appears to show it was unintentionally caused, but the final fire report will take some time for a proper determination," he said.
Police say they'll be investigating alongside a North Cowichan Fire Inspector.
A temporary shelter has been setup at the Cowichan Community Centre for residents who were displaced by the fire, according to RCMP.
The North Cowichan Fire Department says extensive damage was done to at least six units in the building.
Longchamp doesn't know the extent of the damage to his home, and he is still waiting to hear when he'll be allowed to return to gather belongings. He says he and his wife are staying with friends and are looking for a new place to live.
Shapiro says he's in a similar position and is staying with relatives in the meantime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.