A family of three made it out unharmed after fire broke out a home in south Oak Bay Tuesday morning.
Multiple fire crews responded to a report of a fire in the 2000-block of Crescent Road at around 6 a.m.
When they arrived they found heavy flames in the basement level of the home that had burned through the floors to the upper level, which had some smoke and flame involvement as well.
According to authorities, all three people inside the house were able to make it out safely. Two dogs and one cat also escaped unharmed, but one additional cat was unaccounted for.
The initial response to the fire included assistance from Saanich and Victoria crews, said Oak Bay Fire Chief Darren Hughes.
“A big thank you to them every time they come out and give us assistance with a significant fire like this,” he said.
Crews kept the fire from spreading to any neighbouring structures, but a pickup truck in the driveway was damaged by radiant heat, Hughes said.
Also making things difficult for firefighters was a hydro wire that had come down, affecting their positioning.
The blaze caused at least $500,000 in damage and it’s unclear whether the house will be able to be restored.
An investigation into the cause of the fire and where it started is ongoing.
CHEK News
