A fire devastated a dental office in downtown Nanaimo over the weekend.

Fire crews, RCMP and ambulance services were called out to reports of a structure fire on the corner of Wentworth and Richards streets at approximately 7:50 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19.

Troy Libbus, Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief of operations, was on scene and said three engines and one truck responded to the blaze in the 400 block of Wentworth.

鈥淯pon arrival, Engine 1 had a fully involved fire on the front of the structure, and they quickly knocked it down to pause the fire,鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom there, multiple crews continued with fire operations and searched the building for occupants.鈥�

The assistant chief confirmed no one was found inside the building and that smoke detectors were sounding when they entered. No injuries were reported during the incident.

The exterior of the building sustained heavy damage and the interior sustained smoke damage as well.

鈥淚nitial crew put water on instantly. Luckily it didn鈥檛 go inside the building at this time 鈥� within an hour we had everything under control,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n this case, it鈥檚 been dry and the weather has been hot, so we are concerned of radiant heat in other homes. We鈥檙e also concerned about any embers that go to any other residents 鈥� We take a step back and we take in everything around so we can keep the community safe.鈥�

Nanaimo RCMP said in a press release that two men were arrested in connection with the fire. The suspects were arrested 鈥渁 short distance from the fire鈥� and have been remanded into police custody with an expected appearance in Nanaimo provincial court on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

As the investigation continues, police ask anyone with information related to the incident who has not spoken with police to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and reference file No. 2023-28934.

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mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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