UPDATE: Residents evacuated after Kelowna building goes up in flames, collapses | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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UPDATE: Residents evacuated after Kelowna building goes up in flames, collapses

The flames can be seen from a distance as the building under construction on Truswell Road burns on July 8, 2017.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Lora Proskiw

KELOWNA – Fire crews are on the scene of a fire in the Lakeshore area battling a blaze in a building under construction.

The building, a 6-storey condominium under construction on Truswell Road near the Hotel Eldorado in south Kelowna, has collapsed after fire crews spent hours fighting the blaze. While it’s unoccupied, a witness says one worker was taken from the scene with burns on his arm.

The fire did spread to adjacent buildings, according to Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, and evacuated residents are being relocated. The roof of Waters Edge at 3865 Truswell Rd. and adjacent units in the Walnut Grove Motel did catch fire.

Evacuess are being directed to the Salvation Army at 1480 Sutherland Ave., where emergency support services are set up.

Local resident Sheryl Stifter says her building hasn't been touched by flames, but she's been told residents won't be able to return tonight due to the damage caused by the blaze.

Traffic has been blocked along Lakeshore Drive between Cook Road and Bluebird Road.

Natural gas and electricity service has been affected in the area as well, according to a press release from Fortis B.C.

Smoke from the scene can be seen across Kelowna while the flames can be seen by many with a view of the building. 

Smoke pours from the building under construction on Truswell Road July 8, 2017 as firefighters fight the blaze.
Smoke pours from the building under construction on Truswell Road July 8, 2017 as firefighters fight the blaze.

Smoke can be seen from a structure fire in the Lakeshore area July 8, 2017.
Smoke can be seen from a structure fire in the Lakeshore area July 8, 2017.

– This story was updated at 1:50 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 2017, with updates from the scene of the fire and Fortis B.C.

– This story was updated at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 2017, with updates from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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