Date: August 12, 2021
File: 21-18167
On August 11, 2021, at 1:15 am several members of the Saanich Fire Department and the Saanich Police Department attended a large house fire at the corner of Battleford Avenue and Wascana Street.
Detectives with our Major Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Section, along with Saanich Fire, are investigating this fire. It is being treated as suspicious until deemed otherwise. Due to the extensive damage and the compromised structural integrity of what remains of the home, the investigation into what caused the fire will take longer than anticipated.
There were several people living in the home, most of whom have been accounted for by our detectives. However, without completing a thorough search of the home, we are unable to confirm that everyone made it out safely. Our primary goal at this time is to confirm the whereabouts of each and every occupant suspected of residing there. We are hopeful that all are safe.
For the short term, officers will be on scene and the area will be taped off for the remainder of today and into tomorrow. For the long-term, we will plan to provide a release to the public once a search has been completed and again once a cause of the fire has been identified.
Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer