Twelve residents displaced by fire

Four adults and eight children are being cared for by emergency support workers after being displaced by a residential fire in the Central Okanagan.

Crews responded to a fire in a townhouse complex in the 2400 block of Ingram Road in West Kelowna Saturday night.

Assistant fire chief Brent Watson says the first crew on the scene reported heavy smoke and visible flames coming from the back of the building.

“Crews deployed hose lines to the rear of the structure and were able to quickly knock the fire down through a second story window. Crews then entered the unit, making their way to the second floor back bedroom where the fire started, to extinguish hot spots and to search for extension into adjoining units,” said Watson.

Watson says 18 firefighters battled the blaze, containing it to one unit.

“Fire damage to the upstairs back bedroom was extensive, with water and smoke damage to the ground floor and one neighboring unit,” he said.

Emergency Support Services were called in to care for the eight children and four adults displaced from the two impacted units.

Watson said the fire is not suspicious and was accidental in nature.

“West Kelowna Fire Rescue reminds residents to exercise extreme caution when using candles and matches inside a home.”

RCMP, BC Ambulance, ESS, Fortis BC and BC Hydro were also on the scene.