Residents displaced by fire just before Christmas

Residents of a Kelowna apartment building won’t be at home for Christmas after a fire.

The Kelowna Fire Department responded to a general fire alarm call at an apartment building in the 500 block of Glenmore Road Friday (Dec. 23) around 10 p.m.

As crews were on route dispatch received a 911 call reporting smoke in one of the units on the third floor.

“The first arriving officer reported smoke in the unit and that sprinkler activation had occurred. Crews gained access to the third-floor unit and discovered a fire in one of the rooms. The sprinkler system was able to suppress the fire before it could spread,” said platoon captain John Kelly.

The area was checked for extension, and none was found. Crews were able to isolate the sprinkler, but it caused water damage to the two units below leaving all three units uninhabitable.

In total eight adults, three children, one dog and three cats are in the care of Emergency Support Services.

The fire is deemed accidental in nature. There were no injuries to occupants or fire personnel.