12 units damaged in View Royal apartment fire

12 units damaged in View Royal apartment fire

Published 4:30 pm Monday, January 19, 2026

A fire that broke out in an apartment block near Thetis Lake on Sunday, Jan. 18 has caused significant damage.

View Royal Fire Chief Paul Hurst said crews received a call at 10:14 a.m. about a blaze on the third floor of the CRD-operated 1920 West Park Lane building.

The fire, which CRD spokesperson Andy Orr said “was reportedly caused by a toaster oven being used from a cupboard inside a unit,” was under control within 15 minutes, with the help of the building’s sprinkler system.

The occupants of the suite sustained injuries and were treated by the BC Ambulance Service on scene, according to Hurst. They were not transported to hospital.

He added there is fire damage to the suite’s kitchen, and water and smoke damaged five other units.

Sprinklers caused “significant” water damage to three units, said Orr, adding the residents of each have been relocated either through the province’s emergency support services program or their insurer for the next three days. No other residents have been displaced at this time.

Orr noted there is “extensive” water damage in the third-floor hallway and that approximately 12 units have water damage requiring repairs. Downs Construction is onsite carrying out immediate emergency repairs, including water extraction.

The building sits next to another CRD block, and together they offer 152 affordable-housing units for low- to moderate-income individuals, seniors and families.