Woman who died in fire alerted others to blaze: Shawnigan Lake RCMP

Photo: Colin Dacre

An 18-year-old woman died in a fire early Thursday after alerting four residents of the home to the blaze, Shawnigan Lake RCMP say.

The Mill Bay Fire Department responded to an alarm about a fire at Malahat Nation home around 2:40 a.m., said Fire Chief Ron Beck, and police said the home was completely engulfed in flames when officers arrived.

Four people escaped the burning home, but the young woman did not make it out. Her body was found by firefighters after the blaze was extinguished, police said.

RCMP said they will not be identifying the woman.

The four residents were taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police said.

RCMP and the Mill Bay Fire Department are investigating the cause of the fire, which has not been determined. Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of the B.C. RCMP said early indications are that it was not criminal.

The B.C. Coroners Service is also investigating.

Beck said fire officials expected to be at the scene Thursday and today for their investigation.

The home is set apart from others, with the nearest residence about 150 metres away.