Fire

Police are investigating after four public portable toilets were reported set on fire within a few hours on Jan. 16.

Here are some of the most prominent and impactful stories we reported on in 2021 (in no particular order).

No injuries or damage were reported after Parksville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a chimney fire on McKinnon Street.

During this time period the Oceanside RCMP received 237 complaints, including a resident scammed out of thousands of dollars after responding to a call impersonating the Canada Border Services Agency.

No injuries were reported after Dashwood Fire Department responded to an RV on fire in a compound in the 3300 block of Island Highway West.

A fire at the Parksville Travelodge that left one person in hospital last week started when a man fell asleep while cooking heroin and lit himself and the bed on fire, according to a support person who was working that night.

“I have no doubt that this fire would have been much more severe if not for the working fire sprinkler system in the building. Fire sprinklers save lives,” said Marc Norris, Parksville fire chief.

Campfires will be permitted again in the Parksville Fire Protection Area, effective Sept. 16 at noon, due to the decreased risk of wildland urban interface fires.

The Coombs-Hilliers, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Errington and Dashwood fire departments responded to the fire.

The city said the decision was made in order to conserve water after B.C. entered Drought Level 5 last week.