Nanaimo Fire Rescue is probing the cause of a blaze that heavily damaged a carport, garage and boat on the weekend.
David Dales, Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief, said the fire in the 3000 block of Neyland Road generated multiple 911 calls when neighbours reported it at about 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13.
“Our first-in engine arrived and, basically, what they were experiencing was a carport [and] enclosed garage that had smoke and flame visible from the street,” Dales said. “Our firefighters did a quick knockdown and had the fire knocked down in a couple minutes.”
He said the fire was considered suspicious because it started on the outside of the structure and travelled into the enclosed garage. The investigation has not been turned over to the RCMP.
“It’s currently under investigation,” Dales said. “It doesn’t look criminal. It just looks a little suspicious, so we’re just trying to figure that piece out … It’s not a real criminal matter. Maybe a mistake was made. We’re just trying to figure out what mistake was made.”
The fire caused extensive damage to the carport and garage, neither of which were attached to the house on the property, so damage was limited to those structures as well as a boat. No one was injured or displaced from their home.
“It’s a significant fire. It’s probably in the $100,000-plus range,” Dales said.
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