An unoccupied Tillicum Road home will be razed after fire broke out Thursday (March 13) around 4:30 a.m.

Saanich fire crews were called to what turned out to be a fully engulfed home in the 2900-block of Tillicum Road.

Crews started a defensive attack and had the fire under control in 30 minutes, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Craig Ford told the Saanich News.

A fire investigator remains on scene to determine the cause, as does a truck to deal with potential hot spots as they await an excavator to take down the remainder of the structure.

While rumours abound about squatters living in the building, the department has no proof of that, Ford said.

The home suffered damage in an August 2024 fire, and as far as Saanich fire knows, has been unoccupied since.

The department expects to have the road fully reopened ahead of the late afternoon commute.