One person was sent to hospital for observation after a fire erupted in a Westview apartment building on Monday, July 22.
Powell River Fire Rescue deputy chief Rocky Swanson said firefighters were called at 4:21 pm to a fire at an apartment at 3850 Joyce Avenue, between Oliver and Nootka streets. Swanson said the call came in as a structure fire with lots of smoke.
He said that upon arrival, the professional firefighter crew first on scene found heavy smoke pouring out of the front door. Entry was made through the back side but the smoke was very heavy, there was no visibility and there was high heat, he added.
The firefighters backed out after about a minute and a half and went around to the front of the building and came in through the door.
Once entry was made through the front of the building, the firefighters were able to knock the flames down, said Swanson. It took seven minutes to get the fire under control.
“We were aggressive on this one and we cut it down really quickly,” said Swanson.
Then firefighters did a complete search of the residence, making sure there was nobody inside. There were two people outside who were believed to be the occupants, according to the deputy chief. Swanson said one person was sent to hospital with undetermined medical issues.
Cause of the fire is under investigation. Adjoining apartments were not damaged in the blaze because there was a fire wall between the apartments.
In terms of the incident, Swanson said the crew did a really good job and there were no injuries to the firefighters.
“It was a really good response,” he said.
Joyce Avenue between Oliver and Nootka was blocked off by Powell River RCMP while firefighters attended the blaze.
