Power lines cause truck to catch on fire

A nearby building was evacuated and power was out after a fire in Kelowna this afternoon.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. (Sept. 23), the Kelowna Fire Department dispatch center received a 911 call reporting a vehicle on fire in the alley behind 1060 Cawston Ave.

The first arriving officer reported flames and smoke coming from the rear tire area of a concrete pump truck. It was determined the boom of the truck had contacted overhead power lines, causing the fire.

The fire was quickly knocked down.

“The building under construction next to the fire was evacuated. The area was cordoned off until Fortis crews arrived and confirmed that the overhead power lines were de-energized,” said platoon captain John Kelly.

The incident caused some power outages in the area. Two workers were assessed at the scene by paramedics.

Damage was contained to the concrete pumper.