The flames consumed a house in Penticton on Wednesday afternoon, with strong winds pushing smoke across the street and challenging the initial response of firefighters.
Penticton Fire Chief Rob Trousdell said a wind-blown fire is always a concern here in Okanagan.
“We’ve seen it many times. So our teams are very aware of that and you can see how [the smoke] he was walking down the street, so even to the point that it affects his responses, “he said
“When they took to the streets, that heavy smoke was coming down, so they had to be very careful when approaching the scene.”
Residents of the house were out when firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported.
“It appears to have spread to the attic area and grabbed the adjoining motorhome parking lot next to the house.”
Between 15 and 20 firefighters were at the scene, controlling the fire about an hour after it started. Municipal works have been moved to the scene to cut off the power lines next to the house.
“There is no natural gas, but of course there is electricity, so we were concerned that the active power lines would be affected by the fire. So City Electrical responded and was able to disconnect them for us, causing people to work much safer “. said Trousdell.
The causes of the fire are still being investigated.
UPDATE: 5:15 p.m.
Castanet reporter Casey Richardson reports that smoke and fire activity has been extinguished on Conklin Avenue from 5:15 p.m.
Firefighters responded quickly to the blaze, which quickly engulfed the house.
Castanet has contacted the Penticton Fire Department for more information.
ORIGINAL: 4:40 p.m.
A house is on fire in Penticton on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters are responding at 460 Conklin Avenue. The whole street is full of smoke.
Journalist Casey Richardson is on stage. He says firefighters are currently trying to stop the spread to neighboring buildings.
A neighbor told Castanet that “it smelled of burnt plastic,” the smoke got worse, and then they learned there was an explosive sound.
Another neighbor who called 911 said, “I never knew a house could go up so fast.”
There is an RV on the property in addition to the house, which is also on fire.