Fire at Nanaimo supportive housing displaced more than 50 people

More than 50 people from a supportive-housing complex in Nanaimo, B.C., were  displaced Sunday after a fire in a mattress that was started by a cigarette.

Troy Libbus, Nanaimo Fire Rescue's assistant chief, said their crew responded to an alarm at Samaritan Place, a supportive-housing complex that has 51 units. 

He said no one was hurt, as firefighters were able to fight the blaze and evacuate residents at the same time, thanks to the building’s sprinkler system that helped suppress the fire.

Libbus said a resident of the building later admitted to police that they were smoking in their room and the mattress caught fire. 

Corrie Corfield with the Island Crisis Care Society, which operates the complex, said services in the building were back up on Monday and some residents were able to return to their units on the fourth floor, which was not damaged by fire or water.

Corfield said they have found temporary housing for most of the remaining residents who were forced out, including placing 10 people who have mobility or health issues in a motel. 

“So, that's one of the challenges in this whole situation, is a lot of the people who rely on that building and who live there have significant health challenges, and maybe seniors, or (they) may be coping with all sorts of health situations,” said Corfield.

She said they had to bring in food and clothing in for residents because many of them left with nothing more than the pyjamas they were wearing.

“It was a challenging day, but everyone really banded together and had a good attitude about things,” Corfield said.