Fire broke out in an industrial building in the south end of Duncan early Tuesday evening near Boys Road.
Flames could be seen shooting above structures and black plumes of smoke billowed into the air.
Tyson Beswick, who works at the front desk at the Ramada by Wyndham Duncan Cowichan Valley nearby on the Trans-Canada Highway, said customers told staff about the fire to the south shortly after 6 p.m.
By 8:50 he could not see flames anymore and the plumes of smoke were gone. “It’s just a little bit hazy over the area.”
Olympic Fitness, nearby at 5462 Trans-Canada Highway, posted on its Facebook page, “hey everyone gym is ok, neighbor building caught fire, very close call, but there is a bit of smoke so gym might be closed for a few days sorry about hassle.”
Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Association, said police had blocked off Boys Road.
“It looked bad but it seems to getting under control now,” she said at about 7:45 p.m.
“It was scary.”
The fire was located in an area with a mix of businesses, including retail, offices and industrial.
