Kelowna fire burns down homeless camp
A suspicious Kelowna fire has destroyed a homeless camp this morning.
At roughly 6:30 a.m., Oct. 29, the Kelowna Regional Dispatch Centre received multiple calls of a large brush fire in the 2600 block of Enterprise Way, according to a press release from the Kelowna Fire Department.
The first arriving officer reported a 30-by-30 foot brush fire near the creek along the Okanagan Rail Trail. The fire had consumed a homeless camp, according to the fire department.
"All occupants had left the scene prior to the arrival of crews. The cause of the fire is suspicious," said platoon captain Scott Clarke, in the press release.
Crews quickly extinguished the blaze and Enterprise Way was shut down for a short period of time.
The Kelowna Fire Department responded with two engines, two bush trucks and a command unit. The RCMP and city bylaw were also on scene.
Then, at roughly 7 a.m., a second fire was reported in the 2300 block of Highway 97.
The small fire was seen in another homeless camp.
Approximately 10 people were in the encampment at the time of the fire but no injuries were reported, according to the fire department.
The cause of the fire was deemed accidental, Clarke said.
The Kelowna Fire Department responded with a bush truck, one engine and a command unit.
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