The North Saanich Fire Department is investigating the cause of a fire on Xpaen Lane on Pauchachin First Nation land.
RCMP officers quickly arrived on scene Friday morning, along with fire fighters from the North Saanich Fire Department, to find one half of the duplex home fully engulfed in flames. There were a total of nine people living in both sides of the duplex at the time, and everyone had been safely evacuated prior to police arrival.
One half of the duplex was totally destroyed by the fire. Police secured the scene and are continuing to assist Fire Department investigators in attempting to determine the cause.
While there is no evidence to suggest this fire was deliberately set, police treat any structure fire as suspicious until investigators are able to rule out foul play.
Because of the intense heat from the fire, it could be some time before fire investigators can safely enter, and begin to examine the actual scene.