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VIDEO: Lake Cowichan firefighters called to blaze at animal refuge

A site, made famous 10 years ago when it housed a tiger, is the victim of a fire April 22.
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A fire at a wild animal refuge on Cowichan Lake Road April 22 saw Lake Cowichan’s fire department call for an extra pumper from Youbou. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

Lake Cowichan firefighters were called out Saturday morning to a blaze at a wild animal refuge on Cowichan Lake Road.

The location, made famous 10 years ago when the owner was housing a tiger on her land, is east of the town of Lake Cowichan about halfway to Skutz Falls.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to Lake Cowichan fire chief Doug Knott but he said the blaze consumed the building so thoroughly that the remains were knocked down for safety.

The Lake Cowichan fire department was joined by a pumper truck from the Youbou department as there are no fire hydrants near this rural site.