(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
November 04, 2015 - 11:13 AM
WEST KELOWNA - The body of a woman has been discovered after a suspicious house fire in West Kelowna early this morning.
West Kelowna Fire Rescue and RCMP responded to the fire at 2311 Boucherie Road around 1:45 a.m., Nov. 4, RCMP spokesman Cpl. Joe Duncan says in a press release.
Jason Brolund, the West Kelowna Fire Rescue chief, says his crews made the discovery after answering the late-night emergency call.
"We responded and supressed the fire and found a single victim inside the house," Brolund says, noting police on scene were advised immediately. "Typically police are there with us and as a matter of practice, when something of significance is found, they are involved right away."
The area is somewhat rural and properties are large and spreadout. As of noon today officers appeared to be focusing on a nearby field and were canvassing the neighbourhood.
Duncan says police consider the fire suspicious and are continuing their investigation along with the B.C. Coroners Service. He did not disclose a cause of death or release the woman’s identity. He says investigators are still going through the scene and are scheduled for an internal briefing at 7 p.m. tonight.
Barb McLintock of the B.C. Coroners Service refered all comment to Kelowna RCMP.
"We don't want to foul up a future court case. We are investigating," she says.
Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to call West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.
To contact a reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
— This story was updated at 11:49 a.m., Nov. 4, 2015, with additional details.
— This story was updated at 12:11 p.m., Nov. 4, 2015, with additional details from the scene.
— This story was updated at 10:21 a.m., Nov. 5, 2015, with additional details.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015