Tragedy in Nanoose Bay
An elderly Nanoose Bay woman is dead and her community is in mourning after a tragic house fire in the early morning hours of Dec. 30.
Dead is 85-year-old Beatrice Sharock.
RCMP Sergeant Darrell Robertson said members of the Nanoose Bay Volunteer Fire Department requested police assistance at the Higginson Road residence at 4:39 a.m. after they determined there was a person inside the building, which was completely destroyed in the blaze.
Robertson said police-based Victim Services from Parksville remained at the scene with family members until the fire was completely extinguished.
Family members confirmed that Sharock lived alone in the home. Her body was found by firefighters inside the remains of the home at 9:34 a.m.
Nanoose Bay Volunteer Fire Department chief Doug Penny said the interior of the home was fully involved when firefighters arrived. Although they were unable to save the home, Penny said the 20 firefighter on scene were able to knock it down and prevent it from spreading to trees or other residences.
“We were able to save enough evidence for the investigation to pinpoint a starting point,” he said, noting firefighters were hampered in their efforts by sparking hydro lines which had become detached from the building.
Penny said his crews seem to be dealing with the tragedy as well as can be expected.
“We keep in touch with our crews and everyone seems to be handling it OK,” he said. “It’s a sad thing, that’s for sure.”
Robertson said the investigation is ongoing into the cause of the fire, but stressed there is no evidence at this time to indicate foul play or that the fire was suspicious in nature.
The investigation into the fire is being carried out by the RCMP Island District General Investigation Unit, the Nanoose Fire Department, the BC Fire Commissioner’s Office, the Oceanside RCMP and the BC Coroners Office.
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