Five people escaped an early morning blaze at a farmhouse on Southin Road in Saltair last Wednesday.

The fire is believed to have started sometime around 5:30 a.m. in the second storey attic of the home.

Rescue crews from Ladysmith, Chemainus and Crofton all responded with upwards of 30 firefighters on scene and upwards of 10 trucks.

Chemainus Fire Chief Al Irwin said the cause of the fire is still undetermined.

“It’s up in the roof that’s all we know right now,” he told the Chronicle. “Contained to the one structure…water damage and smoke…we haven’t been inside because it’s too unsafe.”

Two owners of home were inside as well as three farm workers. There were no injuries.

An excavator was brought in later on Wednesday morning to remove the charred second storey of the home while firefighters hosed off any hot spots.

editor@ladysmithchronicle.com



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Ladysmith firefighters hose off hot spots after an early morning blaze in Saltair on Wednesday. (Mike Gregory Photo)

Bottom, Ladysmith Fire Chief Ray Delcourt captured this shot shortly after arriving on scene at 5:30 a.m. last Wednesday. Above, firefighters put out hot spots nearly five hours later.