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Busy scene at Langford fire

The cause of a Monday morning fire on Carlow Road remains under investigation.
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Langford Fire Chief Bob Beckett gives instructions to a group of firefighters while dealing with the aftermath of a structure fire on Carlow Road Monday morning.

Neighbours gathered on Carlow Road in Langford on Monday morning to watch as firefighters sprang into action, putting out a blaze in a unit of a townhouse complex.

With fire engines, rescue trucks and even a ladder truck parked along the residential street, residents with towels in their hair and pets in tow looked on as smoke billowed from the third floor of the unit.

In total, six fire trucks, plus a number of smaller department vehicles, responded  to the fire in the 2800-block of Carlow Rd., including two from Colwood Fire Rescue, which was called for assistance.

“We had all three (Langford) stations and Colwood respond,” said Langford Fire Chief Bob Beckett.

When crews arrived shortly after 10:15 a.m., flames were visible on the first floor of home, which was unoccupied at the time.

“Once we gained access it was pretty routine,” Beckett said. Firefighters broke the glass in the front door to gain entry and were able to quickly contain the blaze. “Fire damage was limited to the area of origin, but there’s heavy smoke damage throughout the three floors,” the chief said, adding that neighbouring units also suffered smoke damage.

In fact, it was a neighbour that reported the fire.

“The smoke alarm alerted a neighbour who came to investigate,” Beckett said, crediting the working alarm for helping limit the spread of damage.

He reported that a small dog was inside the home when the fire broke out, but seems to be doing fine.

With the cause of the fire still under investigation, Beckett was unable to confirm what room in which it started.

He did estimate the damage to the home to be between $50,000 and $75,000.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com