West Kelowna Fire Department doused an apartment blaze this afternoon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/West Kelowna Fire
August 01, 2021 - 9:00 PM
West Kelowna firefighters spent some of Sunday afternoon dousing a couch fire potentially sparked by an electrical charging device.
Reports of a fire alarm going off at the Harbor Ridge Apartments on Old Ferry Wharf Road prompted a crew to head to the building, where they found the sprinkler system activated and was holding a small fire in a couch on the first floor.
"Residents had evacuated the building and fire crews finished extinguishing the fire and stopping the flow of water from the sprinkler system," fire chief Jason Brolund said in a press release.
"In this case, all systems and the residents of the building performed well. The fire alarm and suppression systems in the building functioned exactly as designed, alerting residents and holding the fire to a small size. The residents and building management did exactly as they should, evacuating the building and showing patience and understanding as firefighters took care of the emergency."
Fire damage was contained to one unit and there was a small amount of smoke and water damage from the sprinkler system to five other nearby units.
"Most residents of the building were able to return home within two hours," Brolund said. "The residents of six units have been offered Emergency Support Services while the status and damage of their units is further evaluated. Any residents with questions or requiring further assistance are directed to contact the building manager."
The fire investigation has been completed. The cause of the fire has been deemed accidental, possibly related to an electrical charging device in the unit.
"This event is a great reminder of the importance of having an emergency plan including a grab-and-go kit for your self, your family and your pets. You never know when or why you may have to leave your home without notice and a few minutes of preparation can make this process much smoother," he said.
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