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Family escapes fire in Vic West

A fire at the rear of a three-storey wood-frame house in Vic West Monday night caused significant damage, but the occupants and family dog escaped safely — thanks in part to good neighbours.
Victoria Fire Department - photo

A fire at the rear of a three-storey wood-frame house in Vic West Monday night caused significant damage, but the occupants and family dog escaped safely — thanks in part to good neighbours.

All three floors of the house at 730 Bowlsby Place were damaged by flame, smoke and water, reported Battalion Chief Doug Carey of the Victoria Fire Department.

Several 911 calls were placed about 7:45 p.m. reporting a barbecue on fire on a back patio. Victoria firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames.

The blaze was also reported by neighbours, who alerted the occupants and sprayed the fire with a garden hose until the Victoria Fire Department arrived.

“This home was saved thanks to the quick action of the neighbours, occupants and firefighters,” Carey said.

The fire appears to have started in a porch off the kitchen, he said.

The fire spread upward on the cedar-shingled exterior wall to the roof and caused smoke to fill the main and top floor, he said.

Emergency social services assisted the residents.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The approximate value of the damage caused was $100,000.