Saanich police say a spectacular November 2024 fire that destroyed a partially built condominium and rained fire down on the neighbourhood is not considered suspicious.
Detectives concluded their investigation into the Nov. 20 blaze that claimed a condominium building under construction on Quadra Street by announcing their findings this week.
While the cause of the fire remains undetermined, police said a thorough review of the evidence led investigators to rule out foul play.
The fire at the corner of Quadra and Lodge Avenue required a team of 22 Saanich firefighters and mutual aid from the Victoria Fire Department. It closed the road for two days as fire and public works crews secured the scene, cleared debris and repaired damaged infrastructure.
The building had been framed to the sixth floor and drywall work was just starting on the Abstract Development project, with 72 of its 77 units already sold.
Fanned by strong winds, embers from the fire drifted down Lodge, falling onto the homes of unsuspecting residents. Neighbours were evacuated from their homes and taken to Saanich Commonwealth Place for the night.
鈥淲e are pleased to share that we will be rebuilding, and that debris cleanup is nearly complete,鈥� Abstract said in a letter distributed in February to neighbours through the Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association.
The goal at that time 鈥� subject to change based on the results of ongoing testing 鈥� was to begin reframing the building in late spring or early summer with a projected completion late in 2026.
