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VIDEO: House burns down in the middle of the night in East Wellington

Two Webster Road residents and their dog make it out safely, but home destroyed
Greg Sakaki, Chris Bush

A house in East Wellington burned down in the early-morning hours Wednesday.

East Wellington Fire Department was called out at approximately 12:50 a.m. to Webster Road and found a fully involved structure fire.

The fire department responded with three engines and later received assistance from Nanaimo Fire Rescue, but the house was totally destroyed.

The homeowner told the News Bulletin that he and his wife were asleep and though they didn’t hear any smoke alarm, they awoke and were able to make it out safely with their dog. The homeowner speculated that an electrical problem must have caused the fire.

He said no neighbouring homes are close by in any direction.

Steve Ellis, East Wellington firefighter, said the homeowners are insured and the fire investigation will be turned over to their insurance company.

“Everybody’s safe and sound, which is huge … I think the lady is still in hospital just for a precaution and the husband is fine,” Ellis said.

He said the house is so heavily damaged it will take “a lot of probing” to determine a cause.

“I would be comfortable saying it’s not suspicious, very comfortable,” Ellis said. “The owners were in the house and, I mean, they basically escaped with their lives. They were very proud of their house. It’s a tragedy. What can you say?”