An overnight fire in Port Alberni has claimed the life of a man in his 60s after he collapsed following his escape from the blaze.
Fire crews received a report of the blaze shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28.
Firefighters headed to the home — located at Ian Avenue and Lathom Road — and found a fully engulfed structure fire.
An overnight fire in #PortAlberni has claimed the life of a man in his 60’s. @portalbernifire says he made it to the back door of his house but collapsed and could not be resuscitated. Investigators still probing the cause. More @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/VLeJwen1uw
— Dean Stoltz (@deanstoltzchek) February 28, 2022
Fire officials say two people lived in the home, with one man alerting another to the flames.
The men had apparently tried to escape through the front door, but heavy flames and smoke forced them to retreat to the back of the home.
With help from two passersby they got out of the house, but one of the man collapsed outside. Firefighters and paramedics attempted CPR but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A neighbour who lives across the street said fire crews were on scene quickly.
“The fire department showed up and I looked out the window and noticed the whole front of the house was engulfed in flames,” said Lisa Lessard.
Port Alberni’s fire chief said as the fire still raged, firefighters arriving on scene heard that the man had collapsed in the backyard.
“They attempted to come out the front and there was just too much fire so they retreated to the back of the building,” said Mike Owens.
At this time, the cause of the blaze is still unknown and an investigation has been launched.
Port Alberni RCMP along with Port Alberni Fire and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are investigating the cause of the blaze which so far does not appear suspicious.
The man who died as a result of the fire was in his 60s and has not been publicly identified.
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