The Sechelt fire department is still investigating the cause of an early morning house fire in West Sechelt Wednesday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze on Norwest Bay Road around 3:45 a.m. March 6.

According to fire chief Bill Higgs, the fire was pretty well established by the time firefighters arrived.

“The fire was working its way into the attic and we had quite a time chasing it,” said Higgs. “What really caused us trouble was the drywall ceiling, which had plywood beneath it. We had to get in there with power saws to cut through and allow us access to the attic, so it was quite a lot of work.”
Higgs said the 32 firefighters on scene wrapped up their work around 5:45 a.m. and then returned to the station for clean up just before 6:30 a.m.

“So the guys did all the clean up work and then headed off to their own jobs,” he said. “It’s going to be a 20-hour plus day for our guys because we also have fire practice Wednesday night. If you see some tired firefighters walking around Sechelt today (Wednesday) make sure you give them a pat on the pack. The guys put in quite the effort, but it’s what we do.”
Higgs said the house was a rental unit, but was vacant at the time of the fire.

“Being that no one was inside it allowed us to launch a pretty aggressive interior attack as opposed to a search and rescue,” Higgs said. “We have no cause at this point, so until we know, it is undetermined.”

He said one firefighter received minor injuries when he slipped off a ladder.

Sunshine Coast RCMP were also on hand to provide assistance.