Updated Nov. 15.
In a follow up interview on Wednesday morning, Fire Chief Trevor Pike provided updates to yesterday's blaze in downtown Sechelt
Just before 3 p.m. the fire department received a report of a structure fire at 5850 Sunshine Coast Highway, where the highway intersects with Burley Place.
The first officer on scene reported that approximately 50 per cent of the two storey, wood framed, single-family residence was on fire.
In order to supply water to their fire engines, crews set up hoses on the north side of the highway and ran them across the road which resulted in highway closures for approximately two hours.
Pike said that operations were successful and that the fire was quickly contained, "Our first engine crew pulled a large diameter hose line off and were able to establish a really good quick knockdown," he said. "Once we had knocked down the flames we were able to start getting interior crews inside the structure to perform primary and secondary searches to confirm that there was nobody inside and as well extinguish internal fire that they found during that process."
Twenty five firefighters attended the scene in total, along with three firefighting apparatuses and two utility vehicles.
RCMP and the District of Sechelt assisted in traffic control, that was diverted through downtown Sechelt.
Local emergency health services personel were also on scene in case there were any injuries to firefighters.
Pike added that their investigation team is currently on site, trying to determine the cause of the fire.
"The damage is fairly significant so it's going to be a difficult task, and it'll probably take us two or three days before we're going to have an idea of what the cause was," he said.
Nov. 14 report
A large structure fire in Sechelt has broken out at a home on Teredo Street and Shornecliffe Avenue.
Around 3:30 p.m., residents were asked to avoid the area if possible. Traffic detours are in place, diverting cars to Shornecliffe and Cowrie Street, or to Trail Avenue.
Emergency crews are currently on scene.
The building is a two-storey single family residence, which sustained heavy fire damage to both the first and second floor, Sechelt Fire Chief Trevor Pike said from the scene. The street address has been burnt off the building.
The fire department believes that the building was not occupied at the time, however, this is still being confirmed with the help of RCMP.
Pike confirmed at this point there are no reported injuries to occupants or to emergency responders.
A full investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the fire.
Just before 5 p.m., Pike clarified that the highway is still closed, and that they hope to reopen it in the next half hour.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
