A New Year's Day apartment fire in the small British Columbia community of Port Hardy has claimed three lives.
RCMP Cpl. Darren Lagan says police were called to an apartment complex in the 7300-block of Highland Drive just after noon Friday.
When officers arrived at the scene, fire crews were already there, trying desperately to combat a blaze that had fully engulfed a single suite.
Four people were inside the suite when the fire broke out, but one adult woman managed to escape the fire.
Police say she then tried to round up help for those still trapped inside. Despite her efforts, all three died in the fire.
Port Hardy resident Gary David said he watched the fire erupt from his home across the street.
"I saw one lady coming out of there, a native girl, maybe 30," David said. "As soon as she came out, the smoke billowed out."
The woman didn't appear injured, David said, but the apartment was destroyed.
"It got burned out pretty good. The suite's a write-off."
Police say there is no evidence at this time to suggest foul play is involved.
Port Hardy has a population of just under 5,000 and is located on northern Vancouver Island.
Fire chief Barry Evans said the deaths are hitting members of the community hard.
"It's pretty rough," he said. "We're a small town. You have three fatalities, everybody feels it."
Evans said he has been with the fire department for 19 years but has never seen such a tragic blaze.
He said the fire started somewhere in the kitchen and spread from there. The exact cause is not yet known.
Fire crews were able to keep the flames from spreading to nearby apartments. Neighbours were evacuated for a time but have since been allowed to return to their homes.
The names of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The British Columbia Coroners Service and the province's fire commissioner are still investigating.
With files from The Canadian Press
