Three pets are missing and presumed dead after a house fire Thursday afternoon in the District of Highlands.
The fire was reported just before 2 p.m. in the 3000-block of Blue Valley Road.
The Highlands Fire Department did request mutual aid for assistance in battling the blaze. Crews from Langford, Willis Point, Colwood and View Royal have been at the scene.
View Royal Fire Chief Paul Hurst said when firefighters arrived, they found a two-storey house engulfed in flames.
“The building is obviously a complete loss,” Hurst said.
“Unfortunately there were three pets inside the home.”
Hurst said crews were initially hampered as several large 100-pound propane tanks were venting. There were also propane tanks in the garage that were venting that caused the fire to accelerate. Hydro lines were down.
By 3:30 p.m., the fire was extinguished and crews were cleaning up. The firefighters will then search for the pets.
Hurst said six people who live in the house were not home and it was neighbours who reported the blaze. The fire did not extend beyond the house and the cause is under investigation.
A witness told CHEK four children and two adults live in the house. Victim Services is assisting the family.
Smoke is seen in the Blue Valley Road area following a house fire on Oct. 3, 2019.
CHEK News
