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UPDATE: Man in his early 70s dies in North Saanich fire

Saturday fire not considered suspicious, investigation ongoing
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Sidney/North Saanich RCMP says the fire-related death of a man early Saturday morning is not suspicious, but the investigation is ongoing. (Black Press Media file photo)

The investigation into a fatal North Saanich fire continues this week.

Cpl. Andy Sanchez of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP said Tuesday morning that the deceased was a man in his early 70s. Two of the man’s relatives, a woman and her child, were able to escape the fire.

Sanchez said the site of the fire features a total of four buildings, adding that the mother and the child were able to escape the main building. The deceased, meanwhile, had been staying in a suite attached to a garage.

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP has called members of the forensic identification team and trained fire investigators to assist in the investigation. Investigators are not deeming the fire suspicious at this point but are exploring possible causes.

Crews from all three Saanich Peninsula fire departments and BC Ambulance Service joined RCMP in responding to the 9000-block of Cresswell Road in North Saanich in the early morning hours of April 9.

“Firefighters were able to quell the fire but sadly police have confirmed that a resident of the address perished in the blaze,” said Sanchez. “All emergency services acted swiftly and professionally in this situation. I take comfort that we have well-trained officers who are working diligently to ascertain the cause of this terrible event.”

RELATED: One dead following overnight house fire in Port Alberni

The BC Coroner Services is also investigating.

“As we’re early in the process of trying to determine all of the facts, I have no additional information available at this time,” said Ryan Panton, manager of strategic communications and media relations for BC Coroners Service, Monday afternoon in an email.

Editor’s Note: This file has been updated from its original version as some of the initial information released by police was incorrect.


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wolfgang.depner@peninsulanewsreview.com



Wolf Depner

About the Author: Wolf Depner

I joined the national team with Black Press Media in 2023 from the Peninsula News Review, where I had reported on Vancouver Island's Saanich Peninsula since 2019.
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