Another Structure Fire

A second structure fire in less than a week kept emergency responders busy in Sooke. The original call came in at 10:30 am on the 11th of October as smoke in the structure. As this was a day time call and faced with the usual shortage of volunteer firefighters for this time of day and immediate request for mutual aid was placed. This turned out to be a very good call. On arrival, Car 1 observed dark smoke coming from the vents on the side of the 2-storey duplex and all the windows were blackened along the Delta side. Engine 1 with a 4 person crew, arrived and forced entry on the side door and began a left hand search as we did not know if anyone was in the building. There was a report of a cat and dog in the home. The smoke was so heavy crews had very little visibility and could not see the seat of the fire. Searching the first room they entered (a bedroom) crews encountered a door without any door handles. It was later determined that the basement of this side of the duplex and had been illegally converted into a suite and the door without a handle entered the other suite. (this could have proved very dangerous if something had gone wrong and the firefighters had to make a quick escape) The Chief of Shirley FD who was in the area, heard the call and also attended. Engine 2 now arrived with a crew of 2 and set up for RIT. (a total of only 7 Sooke Firefighters responded) A few minutes later, an Engine from Otter Point FD arrived with a crew to provide backup. The fire was located and quickly extinguished. It originated on the top of the stove. While the fire damage was limited, heat and smoke damage was extensive throughout the suite. As the fire separation between the upper and lower suite was not adequate, light smoke damage was also found on the second floor. (neither tenant was insured). The dog was located in a kennel and was ok, but the cat was found semi-concious in the kitchen area. The cat was brought out and the ambulance crew adminstered oxygen which did revive the cat. It was later sent to a vet and at last report appeared to be ok. It was very fortunate that the passerby had seen the fire and called in. A few more minutes and the building like would have been fully involved.