A section of Quadra Street is expected to remain closed on Thursday following a massive structure fire on Wednesday, but it will reopen to single-lane traffic on Friday.
Crews are continuing cleanup and repairs after a massive fire broke out early Wednesday morning on Quadra Street near Lodge Avenue.
The fire devastated a six-storey, 77-unit condominium building under construction, prompting evacuations and leaving significant damage in its wake.
Saanich Police have confirmed that a portion of Quadra Street will remain closed until at least Friday as Saanich Fire and Public Works crews secure the site, clear debris, and repair damaged infrastructure.
In an official statement, Saanich Police said, “Public Works crews are on-site managing traffic, removing a damaged signal pole, repairing street lights, and clearing drainage infrastructure.”
BC Hydro crews worked overnight to restore power to the area by Thursday morning. However, a telecommunications pole damaged in the blaze still requires removal, with no precise timeline for this operation yet.
Related: Massive fire destroys 77-unit condo building under construction in Saanich
While assessments are ongoing, officials confirmed Quadra Street will reopen to single-lane traffic in both directions at 7 a.m. Friday morning.
The fire broke out around 1 a.m. Wednesday, November 20th, during a powerful windstorm dubbed a “bomb cyclone” that left nearly 150,000 Vancouver Island residents without power.
Some speculate that fallen scaffolding at the construction site may have struck power lines, sparking the blaze, though this has not been confirmed.
Flames quickly engulfed the under-construction condominium, named Cadence and developed by local firm Abstract, which was nearly sold out and slated for completion in 2025.
Fueled by high winds, the fire spread rapidly, with embers carried as far as Saanich Road.
The blaze, described as one of the worst in the region’s history, could be seen as far as Port Angeles, Washington, with flames reaching up to 100 feet. Explosions from transformers echoed through the area, and the intense heat caused extensive damage to nearby homes and vehicles, melting car parts and street signs.
Saanich Fire Department deployed 22 firefighters and received mutual aid from the Victoria Fire Department. Crews battled challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings.
“Confronted with an extremely challenging situation under difficult conditions, our firefighters, along with those from the Victoria Fire Department, performed admirably to contain the fire and prevent further damage,” said Saanich Fire Chief Michael Kaye.
Firefighters extinguished several spot fires, including one on the balcony of a building across the street. Residents displaced by the fire were allowed to return home later Wednesday.
Saanich Police are leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, with updates expected soon.
While no injuries have been reported, the fire has left the community grappling with the destruction of what was to be a significant addition to the neighbourhood.
In their media release, Saanich Police expressed gratitude for the public’s patience and cooperation during the response and cleanup efforts.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
