The top floor of a two-storey house was engulfed in flames, forcing a family in Prince Rupert to seek shelter on Jan. 4.
The incident occurred in the early morning on the 1000 block of 3rd Avenue West and was noticed by a passerby who dialed 911.
"We had an upper floor fully involved fire when we arrived on scene," said Colin O'Hara, deputy fire chief at Prince Rupert Fire Rescue.
"It's unsafe to be inside at this time. The house at this time is uninhabitable," he said.
O'Hara confirmed that all the residents were safe and there were no injuries. However, the fire caused significant damage, particularly to the upper floor, which includes the kitchen and living room. Both bedrooms and the bathroom were also compromised.
"There is extensive water damage to the basement as well," said O'Hara.
The deputy fire chief noted the department's investigation has been unable to determine a conclusive cause of the fire.
The victims were relocated to a local shelter due to the fire's severity. Currently, it is known that a man and two women lived in the house.
Priscilla Spencer, a resident of the house, posted on Facebook urging the residents of Rupert to look for her dog, "Daisy," who has been missing since the fire.
"She ran out of the house scared of the fire that sadly happened in our house on 3rd West," she wrote.
A family member who lives separately made an online post requesting donations for those affected.
"My family lost everything, one of my daughters had no shoes," said Jennifer Sankey on Facebook.
Four apparatus and two chief vehicles responded to the incident.
"I would just like to thank the public for being diligent and calling it in. This came from a passerby that saw the glow in the house," said O'Hara.
