The Lochside structure fire on July 31, 2024 in the 8900 block of Lochside Drive was first believed to be arson.
It was in the afternoon around 2p.m that after several 911 calls, firefighters from the surrounding areas converged to the scene.
It was necessary to close roads to prevent people from getting close to the fire and, if necessary, to put it out, as well as to study them afterward.
The knife, money and a suspect were recovered, moreover the police continued its work. Fortunately, there were no injuries resulting from the fire but its source still remains unknown.
Emergency Response Overview
On July 31, 2024, firefighters from North Saanich, Sidney, and Central Saanich were called to the Saanich lochside structure fire.
The Saanich lochside structure fire started around 2 p.m., causing Lochside Drive to be closed for emergency work.
BC Emergency Health Services sent three ambulances with paramedics and a supervisor.
Luckily, no one needed help, and two ambulances stayed to help the firefighters. This teamwork helped quickly and successfully handle the fire and make the area safe for more investigation.
Investigation Initiated
Firefighters thought Lochside Drive’s fire was suspicious right after they got there. They quickly started looking into it, making sure the area was safe and evidence was protected.
Police from Saanich and RCMP talked to people who saw or knew something and tried to figure out what happened first.
They also caught someone who might have started the fire, which led to more questions about why and how.
Arrest of a Suspect
In the Saanich lochside structure fire, police arrested a suspect right after the fire was called suspicious.
The Sidney/North Saanich RCMP came to the scene at 1:59 p.m. and found the suspect.
Details about the suspect are not known yet, but the police are still looking for more information. They made the area safe so they could collect evidence.
Community Reactions and Concerns
The Saanich lochside structure fire has made people worried about safety, especially after seeing thick black smoke and flames. Many called for help.
After the fire, people are asking about how to prevent fires and if similar ones could happen again.
The fire, which seemed suspicious, has made people think more about keeping their homes safe and following fire safety rules.
The local government is telling people to make sure their homes are safe for firefighters and to be ready for emergencies, showing that the community needs to be aware and prepared after this fire.
Authorities’ Statements
After the Saanich lochside structure fire, police and firefighters shared updates with the public. Cpl.
Alex Bérubé from the RCMP said they caught a suspect but didn’t share more details yet.
Firefighters talked about the difficulties they faced and stressed the need for people to know about fire safety.
They asked anyone with information about the fire to call the RCMP to help them figure out what caused it and how it happened.
Evidence Collection Process
Investigators proceeded during their examination of the circumstances of the Saanich Lochside structure fire First, a perimeter was established to secure the area so that it remains as uninhabited as possible.
Those involved documented the scene through photography and sketches as you can see in the fire mapping below:
They paid major attention to the part that was most affected and any signs that may show how the fire began.
Role of Local Media
Local sources have extensively covered the Saanich lochside structure fire giving information that has impacted how people perceive the event.
The CHEK News and the Peninsula News Review reported on the fast containment by several fire departments and the arrest of the alleged culprit.
These reports resulted in discussions about fire, its consequences, the importance of having meetings about fire safety and making people informed.
Watching the investigation through the media, and receiving demands for the public’s assistance, residents of these areas have become more concerned with safety.
Fire Safety Awareness Campaigns
After the Saanich lochside structure fire, people are talking more about how to make their community safer from fires.
Authorities and firefighters are thinking about teaching people how to prevent fires, like keeping their homes in good shape, storing dangerous items safely, and making sure smoke detectors work.
It’s important to teach everyone so they can spot dangers early and take steps to avoid them.
The Saanich lochside structure fire incident highlights the need for fire safety and community awareness.
As the investigation goes on, it’s important for people to take steps to prevent such incidents.