One person was injured and 18 people have been displaced after fire broke out in a five-unit apartment building in downtown Nanaimo early Saturday.
One unit was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the building in the 200 block of Sabiston Street about 12:50 a.m., Nanaimo assistant fire chief Brad Wood said in a statement.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one unit. The other four units suffered extensive smoke damage and were left without power.
All occupants were able to escape, although one suffered burns, Wood said.
“This was a very serious incident, and it is fortunate that everyone escaped,” Wood said.
Eighteen residents are being provided temporary accommodation through the city’s Community Assistance Program.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
