Catastrophic Blaze Engulfs Condo Construction Site on Quadra Street

In the early hours of Wednesday, a ferocious fire wreaked havoc on a partially constructed condominium in Saanich, leaving behind a scene of charred remains and panic among residents. The blaze erupted around 12:40 a.m. at the site located in the 3800-block of Quadra Street, a building that was meant to stand six stories tall with 77 residential units.

The fire's intensity was exacerbated by strong winds, allowing flames and embers to travel dangerously far, reaching Saanich Road and alarming residents even from distant locations such as Bear Mountain in Langford and Port Angeles, Washington. One witness, Donna Rae from Port Angeles, described the alarming spectacle: "I saw explosions and whirls of flame from 27 miles away," she recalled. "It was crazy."

Residents in nearby homes, particularly those along Palmer Road, Union Road, and Quadra Street, were jolted awake by the terrifying sight of flames illuminating the sky in a panic-inducing pink hue. Several homes were evacuated as flying embers posed a severe risk, with vehicles parked nearby suffering damage from the heat. Some cars on Palmer Road displayed melted headlights and cracked windows, while a resident's home suffered burn marks on its upper story.

As firefighters from the Saanich Fire Department, along with assistance from the Victoria Fire Department, battled the blaze, they faced what Saanich Fire Chief Michael Kaye described as an "extremely challenging situation." Despite the intensity, the firefighters managed to keep the fire largely under control after about an hour, extinguishing several spot fires in the vicinity.

"I was amazed at how quickly they contained it," said one witness, reflecting a sense of relief amidst the chaos. Another resident remarked that flames shot "twice as high as the five-storey apartment building nearby," while debris flew dangerously overhead, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the incident.

Emergency responders set up temporary shelters for evacuated residents, later establishing a reception center at Saanich Commonwealth Place to provide food and assistance for those affected. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and the situation was swiftly managed, with the cleanup beginning soon after.

Authorities cordoned off several blocks around the fire site, advising the public to steer clear as they worked to restore safety and power. Approximately 2,436 customers faced power outages in the surrounding areas, with BC Hydro working diligently to restore service amid the complexities created by the fire damage.

The developer, Mike Miller, expressed his concern for the health and safety of all involved. The project, which had been advancing toward a scheduled 2025 completion, is now left in uncertainty. While insurance will cover damages, Miller emphasized his gratitude for the quick response from first responders.

As the dust settles on Quadra Street, the full extent of the fire's impact continues to unfold, raising questions about the future of the construction project and the community's resilience in the face of such destruction. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.