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UPDATED: Three family dogs perish in Highlands house fire

Multiple fire departments respond to fire on Blue Valley Road
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Fire crews fight a structure fire in the District of Highlands Thursday afternoon. (Photo Courtesy of Paul Hurst)

Three family dogs have died in a house fire in the District of Highlands.

View Royal fire chief Paul Hurst says crews were called to a single-family home around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon and arrived to find a fully-involved fire on both floors, all sides and through the roof of a two-storey house.

READ ALSO: Highlands Fire Department responds to West Shore’s first wildfire of the season

Hurst said 23 firefighters from Highlands Fire Department, Willis Point Volunteer Fire Department, Colwood Fire Rescue and Langford Fire Rescue responded, along with BC Hydro, BC Ambulance and West Shore RCMP.

With no hydrants in the area, crews used a tanker shuttle to get water to the scene and contain the fire. Several propane cylinders vented and exploded in the house as firefighters attacked the blaze. A number of live hydro wires were downed at the front of the house.

No firefighters or occupants were injured, but due to the nature of the fire, crews were unable to get inside to save the family pets, and three dogs perished in the fire.

Colwood and View Royal Emergency Support Services attended to offer accommodation for the family. Highlands Fire Department remains on scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

READ ALSO: Highlands firefighter receives medal for 20 years of service

Crews battled a house fire in the District of Highlands Thursday afternoon. No occupants or firefighters were injured in the blaze but three family dogs perished. (Photo Courtesy of Paul Hurst)

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