Residential fires at Prospect Lake and near the Saanich core kept fire fighters busy on Thursday, as crews battled the possibility of a propane tank explosion at one location.
Around 4:30 p.m., fire crews responded to reports of smoke and sounds of multiple explosions in the 5000-block of Echo Dr., near Prospect Lake.
Fire fighters defensively fought the fire until a large propane tank on the property was emptied, and Saanich public works crews attended to propane run-off into Prospect Lake, said Battalion Chief Eric Iverson.
Damage was estimated at $500,000 and the cause of that fire is now under investigation.
A separate fire broke out in the 900-block of Inverness Rd. around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday. The fire was traced to a suite kitchen, where it appeared an evening of cooking had gone wrong. The fire had spread into the wall of the unit and caused about $120,000 in damage, said Battalion Chief Randy Law.
"There was one occupant in the suite at the time of the fire and a neighbour assisted with trying to extinguish the fire," Law said. "There were no injuries to the occupants or to fire fighters."
The fire was quickly ruled accidental.
editor@saanichnews.com