Nanaimo firefighters are investigating an early-morning house fire that left nine people without a home early Sunday.
The two-storey, three-suite residence is “uninhabitable,” according to firefighters.
Nanaimo RCMP were first on the scene at 478 Machleary St., arriving at 3:25 a.m.
“The house was observed to be completely engulfed,” Staff Sgt. Dave Herman said.
The upper floor sustained extensive structural damage from the fire, firefighters said, while the bottom floor had tremendous water damage.
Nine people made it out of the house safely. Some tried to re-enter the house but were prevented by police, Herman said.
The four residents living on the top floor went to hospital and were treated for smoke inhalation, but have since been released.
All nine were taken into care through B.C.’s Emergency Social Services program. They will be provided with up to 72 hours of emergency housing while they arrange for alternative accommodations.
To see a Nanaimo Daily News video about the fire, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paKUItrv_k4
