Nearly six months after a massive fire destroyed a condo development under construction on Quadra Street, Saanich Police have wrapped up their investigation—and the cause will likely remain a mystery.
The fire broke out in the early morning hours of November 20th, 2024, engulfing the six-storey, 77-unit Cadence condominium building in flames.
The blaze was so intense, it prompted emergency evacuations, knocked out power in the area, and sent embers flying several blocks away due to high winds.
The building, developed by Abstract, was nearing completion and almost entirely sold out.
Now, following a thorough investigation by Saanich Police detectives, officials say the fire is not considered suspicious. However, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.
At the time of the incident, more than 20 Saanich firefighters—along with backup from Victoria Fire Department—battled the flames through the night.
Related: Massive fire destroys 77-unit condo building under construction in Saanich
Spot fires broke out on neighbouring properties, and several homes and apartment buildings had to be temporarily evacuated. An emergency reception centre at Saanich Commonwealth Place gave shelter to 15 residents overnight.
No injuries were reported, but the damage to the construction site was total. The blaze has since been described as one of the most significant fires the region has seen in years.
While the site has since been secured and cleaned up, the fate of the development—and whether it will be rebuilt—has yet to be confirmed.
