Garbage fire spreads to structure

A garbage bin fire turned into something more serious for Kelowna firefighters.

Around 4:00 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 24), the fire department responded to a report of a garbage bin on fire with exposure to a structure in the 1500 block of Pandosy Street.

“First arriving crews found a fire in an alley with exposure to a structure. Crews quickly extinguished the fire but unfortunately it had extended into the commercial structure. The incident was upgraded to a structure fire response,” Scott Clarke, platoon captain, said.

The crew of 16 firefighters gained entry to the business and quickly extinguished the interior fire. There were no occupants in the business at the time of the incident. There was minor damage to the structure and contents.

“The fire is suspicious in nature and will be investigated by RCMP and the Kelowna Fire Department,” Clarke added.