It took a speedy response to bring down a fast-moving fire in trees and brush on Elvins Street between Cowichan Secondary School and an apartment building Saturday afternoon. North Cowichan's South End firefighters were there immediately with two trucks after getting the call about a brush fire at about 2:20 p.m. Nearby residents watched as the flames roared quickly up trees located where Elvins Street ends at the school and Kinsmen Park.
The blaze is still under investigation. South End's Rick Dey was one of the firefighters who came out to deal with the blaze, acting as pump operator.
He agreed it was a fast moving fire, and that it was lucky the nearby cars didn't burn up.
"There was one guy that came in after us and said it was right where he usually parks his truck but it was sunny so he put it over on the other side. He was really lucky," Dey said, adding, "I don't know how it got started."
South End rolled two trucks to the scene.