Saanich officials say a woman has died from her injuries after a fire that broke out in a four-storey apartment building Friday morning.
Saanich, Victoria and Oak Bay fire crews responded shortly after 4 a.m. and discovered heavy smoke and flames coming out of the multi-unit building in the 2600-block of Richmond Road, just north of Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Rob Heppell of Saanich Fire says a ground ladder was needed to rescue residents from their Brookside Manor balconies who had not evacuated by the time firefighters arrived.
Officials say a 60-year-old was found unresponsive in the hallway of the building and has since succumbed to injuries.
#BREAKING : A woman in her 60’s has died in the fire, on the 2600-block of Richmond Road. Officials believe she was a resident of the building. No word yet on suspected cause #yyj @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/DvCZbQt7Cc
— Julian Kolsut (@juliankolsut) June 21, 2019
Saanich police and the BC Coroners Service is investigating the death.
Authorities say two patients were taken to hospital with unconfirmed injuries and Heppell says a number of residents showed signs of smoke inhalation.
Saanich Fire posted pictures of an early morning apartment fire in the 2600-block of Richmond Avenue on Twitter.
Heppell says four suites were directly damaged by the fire while other units were affected by smoke and water damage.
Displaced residents were taken to Cedar Hill Rec Centre and it is not known how many residents are affected.
Officials say several residents were awoken by fire alarms.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and Richmond Road is closed at Carrick Street.
Victoria Fire said early Friday morning crews responded to a four-storey structure fire at 2623 Richmond Road, just north of Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Medical and fire personnel gather near a large structure fire on Richmond Road in Saanich Friday morning.
#yyjtraffic Richmond Rd closed at Carrick. @SaanichFire still dealing with early morning apartment fire
— Saanich Fire (@SaanichFire) June 21, 2019
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