2 people dead, 100 displaced after apartment fire in Duncan

A fire at a four-storey apartment complex in Duncan, B.C., has killed two people and displaced 100 residents.

Fire Chief Geoff Spriggs said crews were called to the building on Government Street at approximately 2:30 a.m. PT Friday.

"There were people on balconies and people ... unable to get into hallways, so we were working on getting everybody out of the building safely," he said.

Earlier in the day the fire chief had said more than 50 people had been displaced. On Friday afternoon, Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples said on social media that 47 units with a total of 100 people had been evacuated.

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B.C. Emergency Health Services says four people were transported to hospital in stable condition, and the B.C. Coroners Service confirmed it is investigating two deaths related to the fire.

Staples said the people taken to hospital had since been released.

Spriggs said Emergency Management Cowichan and Emergency Support Services (ESS) have set up a reception centre nearby. Staples said those services would be available for 10 days.

The chief said the fire appeared to have originated in one of the apartments and spread to surrounding units, causing extensive damage in several parts of the building.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

"We're just doing a very methodical, conscientious process to make sure we have the understanding that we can from this fire," Spriggs said.

"We are then going to be working with the ESS people to get access back to the building and find out a better sense of time lines."

Later on Friday, North Cowichan RCMP said the fired was considered suspicious and is being jointly investigated by the police, Duncan Fire Department, B.C. Coroners Service and the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

Staples said in a post to social media that the Fishbowl Cafe has opened its doors to support people affected by the fire. The café posted to say it was closed to the public on Friday.

Later in the day she added that there were multiple groups organizing to help those who had been displaced.