Update: Extensive Damage From Fire

Update: 3 pm

A woman and her daughter were able to get out safely after smoke and flames broke out in a Vernon apartment this afternoon.

It was in the Blue Skies housing Co-op at 4420 Bella Vista Road.

Deputy fire chief Scott Hemstad says it appears to have started on the main floor.

“Our units pulled up on scene and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the bottom floor window, coming up the side of the house and into the attic space, so they knocked it down with initial attack,” Hemstad tells Kiss FM.

Hemstad says they were able to contain it to the one unit which sustained major damage.

“The majority of the damage is confined to the one unit at the end, and it will be extensive damage. The occupants won’t be able to come back for quite some time. It needs a lot of restoration.”

Hemstad says the cause is under investigation.

He says they had to forcefully enter the next door unit to make sure no one was in there.

The occupants impacted will be staying with family.

The first report of the fire came in at around 12:40 pm.

A fire has broken out in one unit at the Blue Skies Co-op complex at 4420 Bella Vista Road.

Kiss FM’s Kelly Ackeral, who is near the site, says there are two fire trucks on the site, one with a ladder extended to spray water on the unit.

He says there is a fair bit of smoke.

Bella Vista Road is blocked by police on either side of the address.

BC Hydro, RCMP and ambulance are also on the scene.