Update 12:00 pm
Vernon fire crews have finally finished their work at a house fire on Highway 97 this morning across from the hospital.
The official address is 2206 – 32nd Street.
Deputy Fire Chief Scott Hemstad says the fire broke out just after 5:30.
“Basically what we got called to was a garage fire that was connected to a single-family residential structure by a deck. When we got crews on scene the garage was already involved and the flames had already spread into the single-family residence.”
One person was in the home but was helped out by neighbours.
“So the house and the garage are both a total loss at this point. It did travel horizontally. The garage shares a wall with the neighbour’s garage so it entered that garage and there’s some damage to that structure as well and some of the contents.”
Deputy Chief Hemstad says firefighter’s had to be cautious.
“Challenges we faced were more that the slope of the ground and the cold weather creates for a slippery environment for us to be working in and around and that kind of thing. And the age of the structure and there was a fairly heavy content load in the structure so just moving around in there and trying to get all the hot spots and stuff with that age of structure presents some challenges.”
The home is estimated to be more than 70 years old.
Hemstad says the extent and heat of the fire may make it difficult to determine a cause.
Vernon Fire Fighters are still at a home on 32nd Street after a fire broke out this morning.
Interim Vernon Fire Chief David Lind says the call came in at 5:35 .
“It was reported by a neighbour who witnessed fire and smoke coming from a garage structure. The fire spread to a nearby building and the occupant was notified and evacuated by neighbours.”
That person wasn’t hurt.
The first crew on scene hit the flames hard and more firefighters were called in
“At the peak of the fire we had approximately 15 firefighters working on scene, two fire engines. The garage is a total loss and we have heavy damage to the home.”
It’s not known yet how the fire started.
Chief Lind reminds people it’s always best to have a working smoke alarm.
