The Courtenay Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1705 Lewis Ave. in the early morning hours of Friday, March 1.

Deputy Chief George Seigler said a lone occupant escaped uninjured.

鈥淭he call came in at approximately 1:45 a.m.,鈥� said Seigler. 鈥淲e had two engines and our tower respond. Approximately 18 people and four support vehicles. No injuries to report and the owner was able to get out with no injuries as well.

鈥淭he fire started in the back end of the house - exterior, carport area. We haven鈥檛 completed an investigation yet鈥� but it is deemed suspicious, so we will be attending with the RCMP to do the investigations.鈥�

Firefighters were on scene for approximately three hours.

鈥淲e did have a bit of a challenge with extension - the fire followed a chase that went up basically from the mud room so we had to go inside and do an extensive overhaul.鈥�

The overhaul included the use of a chainsaw to ventilate the structure.

鈥淲e had some roof that we had to open up,鈥� said Seigler, who added he does not think the house is salvageable. 鈥淔rom what I鈥檝e seen, no (it is not salvageable), but I haven鈥檛 gone back into the home yet.鈥�

The Record has reached out to RCMP for comment.

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