Residents were able to escape an early-morning house fire in the Oaklands neighbourhood that was quickly extinguished by the Victoria Fire Department on Friday.
Firefighters arrived at the home on Shakespeare Street at 2:40 a.m. after a neighbour smelled smoke and called 911.
All occupants had safely got out of the house by the time fire engines arrived, allowing firefighters to start attacking the fire coming from the upper level.
Victoria Firefighters IAFF Local 730 said crews hit the exterior of the home to confine the flames until interior attack crews were ready to enter. Firefighters accessed the second floor by an external stairway.
Most of the upper-floor ceiling had to be removed to ensure the fire was out.
Fire inspectors remained at the scene to determine the cause of the fire.
No injuries were reported.
