House and vehicle fires keep crews busy

It was a busy morning for West Kelowna Fire Rescue.

Crews were called out around 2:30 a.m. Friday (June 9) to the Smith Creek neighbourhood for a fire at a single-family home.

“Upon arrival, first in crews from the Westbank station found visible smoke and flame and located a room and contents fire. They were able to quickly contain it to a single bedroom,” Fire Chief Jason Brolund said.

Six occupants and three pets got out of the home.

“One occupant was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation as a result of trying to suppress the fire before our arrival,” Brolund added.

Additional crews from the Lakeview Heights and Glenrosa stations assisted and no firefighters were injured.

The occupants are now in the care of Emergency Support Services.

The cause of the fire was accidental.

“There is minor smoke and water damage, however the quick actions of fire crews prevented this fire from being much worse,” Brolund explained.

Brolund said the incident is a reminder that smoke alarms save lives.

“Yesterday, the BC Fire Commissioner reported that only 45 per cent of fires last year had a working smoke alarm present.  In the case of this fire, a working smoke alarm was installed and functioned, alerting the occupants, saving lives and minimizing property damage,” the fire chief said.

Meantime, just after 6:00 a.m., crews from West Kelowna were on the move again, dispatched to a vehicle fire in the Boucherie area near Vineyard Drive and East Boundary Road.

“The smoke and fire was highly visible,” Brolund commented.

Two engines responded with eight firefighters and the vehicle was extinguished quickly. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation along with the RCMP.

“We thank the public for their reports of the fire to 9-1-1 which allowed us to respond quickly and prevent the fire from spreading,” said Brolund.