Update: The B.C. Coroners Service had identified the man who died Monday in a Gabriola Island house fire as 64-year-old Wayne Barry McFetridge.
McFetridge was found inside the home after the blaze had been put out by the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department, which responded to the fire about 5:30 a.m.
The coroners service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and the RCMP are investigating.
Original story
One person was found dead inside a Gabriola Island home after a fire Monday.
The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department responded about 5:30 a.m. and found the home engulfed in flames.
The B.C. Coroners Service is working to determine a cause of death.
Both the Gabriola Island RCMP and the Island District RCMP are trying to find the cause of the fire, and have not yet determined whether it is suspicious.
Neighbour Ray Jago told CHEK News he was awakened by his wife after she heard a loud noise like an explosion.
“She said something was burning and when I looked out the door I realized it was the house down the street,” he said. “I went out to see if I could be of any help down there and she called 911.”
CHEK reported that a number of neighbours and the crew of B.C. Ferries vessel MV Quinsam saw the fire and also alerted authorities. Neighbours said the victim was an older man who rented the home.
