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A fire at a vacant commercial building on Selby Street in Nanaimo, British Columbia, prompted an emergency response after heavy smoke was observed coming from the property. Firefighters attended the scene, gained access to the building and worked to bring the incident under control.

The fire occurred on January 23, 2026, at approximately 395 Selby Street near Franklyn Street. The incident was reported during the early afternoon, and no injuries were reported.

The date is important: the confirmed report concerns the January incident, and it does not establish that another fire occurred on Selby Street today, October 22, 2026.

What Happened on Selby Street?

Fire crews were called to the single-storey commercial building shortly after 12:40 p.m. on January 23 after smoke was seen rising from the property in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter.

When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy smoke inside and around the building. Crews worked to gain access and attack the fire from outside before moving into the next phase of their response.

The property was reportedly unoccupied and appeared to be a garage used for storage. Firefighters searched the building and found no one inside.

Firefighters Worked to Control the Blaze

Access to the affected area was necessary for crews to tackle the fire and assess the damage. Firefighters reportedly had to remove parts of a garage door to enter the building.

Although there was no visible flame when crews arrived, heavy smoke was present. Fire officials reported substantial damage inside the structure, with some fire damage extending into the roof.

The fire was declared out in less than an hour, according to the incident report. The nearby location of a Nanaimo Fire Rescue station also meant crews were operating close to the scene.

Were There Any Injuries?

No injuries were reported in connection with the January 23 fire.

Firefighters found no one inside the building during their search. The available report did not identify any occupants or people requiring medical treatment.

The absence of reported injuries was a significant detail in an incident involving a commercial property with substantial interior damage.

Investigation Into the Cause

The cause of the fire was not immediately known when firefighters attended the scene. Nanaimo Fire Rescue indicated that investigators would be assigned to determine how the blaze started.

Without a confirmed investigative conclusion, the cause should not be attributed to electrical failure, arson, equipment malfunction or any other specific factor.

The available information also does not establish a final determination about the origin of the fire.

Selby Street and the Surrounding Area

The immediate area surrounding the property was closed off while emergency crews worked at the scene. Such restrictions help provide room for firefighting operations and reduce risks to people passing through an active emergency area.

The incident occurred near the intersection of Selby Street and Franklyn Street in Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter.

Residents looking for information about a separate or more recent fire should check Nanaimo Fire Rescue’s current incident information before assuming it is connected to the January event.

Personal Details and Incident Information

Disclaimer

This article describes the reported Selby Street fire of January 23, 2026. It should not be interpreted as confirmation of a new fire on October 22, 2026. Information about the cause, final damage assessment or any subsequent incident should be confirmed through official updates from Nanaimo Fire Rescue or the City of Nanaimo.