A house in flames drew a massive response from Nanaimo Fire Rescue on Monday morning.
Fire crews responded to the alarm just after 10 a.m. and found flames shooting from the windows of the house at 238 Selby St. when they arrived.
The two-storey grey stucco, estimated at more than 90 years old, is owned by Terry and Linda Olson, co-owners of Island Radiator, who said the house was once a rental property, but had been boarded up for several years while they decided what they planned to do with it.
The Olsons said at one period they'd had problems with squatters getting into the building, but had no problems recently.
"I had the gas and electricity shut off," Linda Olson said.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than one hour to root out fire in the walls and attic.
Tim Doyle, Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief, confirmed firefighters had found no one in the structure and said the department's fire prevention division would investigate the cause of the blaze.
The property is insured.