![Extensive smoke and water damage at Royal Oak home after fire engulfs roof](https://cdn.cheknews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/13042517/FIRE-e1527562542563-1024x565.jpg)
WATCH: Saanich firefighters were called to a Royal Oak home Monday afternoon after a fire broke out. Neighbours say they feared people were inside.
Behind thick plumes of smoke, orange flames burst through shingles of a Royal Oak home Monday afternoon.
“All crews of Saanich were devoted to this call,” said Saanich Fire Department Chief Dan Wood.
A dozen firefighters were called to the property on Ridgewood Place around 1 p.m.
“I come running down and next thing you know there’s a lot of smoke coming out of the roof of this house,” said one neighbour,who added others rushed to the door after seeing a car in the driveway.
“Two guys were banging on the doors.”
“We put a search team searching a residential suite as well as the main floor of the home,” said Chief Wood, who said no one was home at the time of the fire.
Thanks to a quick response, nearby homes were spared.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.