West Kelowna Fire Rescue responding to a fire at an Ourtoland Road house fire.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/West Kelowna Fire Rescue
October 14, 2017 - 10:22 AM
WEST KELOWNA - The investigation into the house fire in the 3000 block of Ourtoland Road is ongoing.
The West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire in the 3000 block of Ourtoland Road, in Lakeview Heights, at approximately 10:46 p.m. yesterday, Oct. 13, according to a West Kelowna Fire Rescue release issued today, Oct. 14.
When the first engine arrived on the scene they reported the size of the fire and that it was a "working fire" with light-grey smoke showing from the attached garage of a single-family residence.
Crews worked together to establish water up a long driveway. The attack-line started at the main entrance of the home, however, after crews entered the home the line was moved to the garage to confine and extinguish the fire which escaped from the garage.
The fire spread to the common walls between the garage and the rest of the home, breached the ceiling and had spread into the floor above the garage area, says West Kelowna Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Darren Lee.
Firefighters were able to look for victims and check fire extension when a second attack-line was advanced into the home and was advanced to the second floor.
The fire had burned out a section of floor and was burning the contents of a bedroom on the second floor.
"Once the fire in the garage and the bedroom were under control, crews continued to search the home for victims," Lee says. "When it was confirmed that no residents were in the home at the time of the fire, crews concentrated on extinguishing remaining hot-spots and ventilating smoke."
The West Kelowna Fire Rescue completed a fire cause and origin investigation this morning and have determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. The investigators weren't able to determine the exact ignition source, however, they have confirmed that the fire started in the workshop area of the home's garage.
The home has been turned over to the homeowner and their insurance company.
Four engines, one water tender, one command unit, and one safety unit for a total of 24 firefighters on scene to battle the blaze.
The West Kelowna Firefighters was supported by West Kelowna RCMP, B.C. Ambulance Service, City of West Kelowna Utilities, B.C. Hydro and Fortis Gas.
Lee says the home is occupied by 3 residents who will be staying with family in the area and did not require the services of Emergency Support Services.
— This story was updated at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 with upated information from the West Kelowna Fire Rescue.
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