Fire at residence treated as suspicious

A vacant home in Kelowna sustained major damage in a fire Sunday night.

Kelowna Fire Dispatch received numerous 911 calls reporting flames and smoke coming from a building in the 100 block of Highway 33 East around 9:02 p.m. (Oct. 18).

“On scene, the first arriving crews confirmed heavy black smoke and flames extending from a two-story vacant single family residence,” said platoon captain Kelly Stephens. “An offensive fire attack was deployed and the fire was controlled from the exterior until it extended into the attic space and then crews did a interior attack.”

Stephens said the building sustained major fire damage to the exterior and roof area.

The cause of the fire is suspicious and is under investigation.

Four engines, a command unit, safety unit and rescue truck totaling 21 fire personnel were on scene to fight the fire along with assistance from RCMP, EHS and Fortis.