Online campaign aims to help construction fire victims

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help two men who were forced out of their home by the massive construction fire in Kelowna’s Glenmore area Tuesday morning.

The website says Branden Harkin and Carson Judd, owners of a townhouse unit closest to fire, were awoken to sounds of the heat cracking their home’s windows, causing them to burst. Their only thought at the time was to get out.

The blaze caused well over $10,000 dollars damage to their personal items, and they didn’t have insurance to cover the loss.

“With the building only being only a few months old, there wasn’t any money in the strata unit either, so all the units have to pay an additional $10,000 in damages to cover that cost. Both Brendon and Carson are okay which is good news but are emotionally distraught by the loss,” said the posting by organizer Eric Wilson.

Wilson is looking to raise $10,000 within two weeks when the strata funds are due, to help his friends with the recovery of the damages.

“We have a strong community here in Kelowna and we are confident we can help them through these though times,” Wilson remarked.

Click here to access the GoFundMe.

Meantime, the City of Kelowna issued a news release Friday afternoon stating the Glenmore closures remain in place.

“Efforts are ongoing to assess and determine next steps for the fire-damaged crane that remains at the construction site on Glenmore Road and Union Ave. To help maintain public safety in the area, residents are reminded of the associated road closures that remain in place until further notice,” the news release said.

“This is quite a unique and complex situation, requiring very specialized professionals on several fronts,” Lance Kayfish, Risk Manager, said. “Safety is the top priority for the public and for any workers involved in the removal of the crane. The owner of the crane has sourced well qualified professionals to oversee mitigating the situation quickly and safely. That work is underway.”

Glenmore Road remains closed between Cross and Scenic Road, and Union Road remains closed between Wyndham Crescent and Valley Road. Sidewalks on Glenmore between Cross and Scenic are closed to foot traffic as well as sidewalks on Union between Glenmore Road and Snowsell Street North.

Southbound traffic has been rerouted to Snowsell Street North and Scenic Road, while northbound traffic has been directed to Snowsell Street North and Valley Road. Electronic message boards and signage have been installed to help direct traffic.

Residents are asked to avoid closed off areas on and along Glenmore Road and follow the traffic and sidewalk closures, signage and detours. These closures and detours remain in place until further notice.