Crews work to put out a blazing fire that broke out in an apartment complex in North Cowichan Thursday afternoon.
The fire looks to have engulfed the top level of the four-story apartment building on Lewis Street, near the McDonalds and beside the B.C. Ambulance Emergency services building.
In pictures and videos sent to CHEK News, the flames and billowing smoke can be seen from blocks away.
Those who took photos and videos say they first noticed the fire just before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
According to BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS), eight people were medically treated following the fire.
BC EHS told CHEK News that it dispatched ten ground ambulances and one air ambulance to the scene.
“Paramedics cared for multiple patients onsite before transporting six patients in stable condition and one patient in serious condition to the hospital by ground,” said BC EHS.
Additionally, one patient in serious condition was transported by ground while another patient in critical condition was cared for by the Critical Care Team and flown by air ambulance to a higher level of care facility.
CHEK News has reached out to the fire department for more information. This page will be updated when more information is released.
Samuel T Muenzler / Fire crews work to douse an apartment fire Thursday afternoon
Rebecca Lawrence
CHEK News
