Fire at The Okanagan Eatery building on 30th Street in downtown Vernon (Brian Martin/Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Fire

Major fire in downtown Vernon

Jul 4, 2023 | 5:35 AM

A Vernon restaurant, and other businesses, have been destroyed in a major fire in downtown Vernon early Tuesday morning.

Firefighters have been on the scene of The Okanagan Eatery in the 2800 block of 30th Street since around 2:30 a.m. July 4 where a fire has consumed the building.

Eunique Boutique, a costume store and dog grooming shop are among other businesses that have been totalled.

That part of the street has been closed off.

(Submitted photo/Facebook)

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A nearby residence (Kekuli Centre) was evacuated as a precaution.

The cause is not known but the following message was posted on the Okanagan Eatery’s Facebook page:

“Wow no words.
Guess that’s it.
To the homeless in this town that light fires, I hope you burn in hell.”

The building is owned by the Batula family. Owner Gary Batula told Vernon Matters he believes it was caused by street people. There is also speculation it may have been electrical.

Vernon Matters photo

The City of Vernon says at approximately 2:30 a.m., Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) was dispatched to a structure fire in the 2800-block of 30th Street.

Multiple structures were fully involved and all available fire resources were sent to the scene. Additionally, apparatus and firefighters from the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department are on scene to assist with the response.

(Brian Martin/Vernon Matters photo)

Residents in the Kekuli Centre apartments have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. No additional evacuations have been deemed necessary at this time.

The following roads are closed to traffic and pedestrians (see map below):

• 30^th Street between 25^th Avenue (Highway 6) and 30^th Avenue
• 29^th Street between 28^th and 30^th Avenues
• 27A Avenue between Highway 6 and 28^th Avenue

Members of the public are asked to stay away from the area to maintain access for emergency responders and for the safety of responders and the public.

Residents across the city may experience smoke entering their homes. If this is the case, you’re encouraged to turn off your air conditioning and close your windows until the smoke can clear the area.

UPDATE:

The fire knocked out power to over 900 customers in Vernon and a BC Hydro crew is on site.

There is also a separate, unrelated power outage affecting over 2,200 customers in Coldstream and Vernon after a vehicle hit a power pole on Kalamalka Road near the Vernon Golf Club overnight. That section of Kalamalka Road is closed off due to a hazardous, leaning power pole.

BC Hydro estimates power could be restored by 2 p.m.

Vernon Matters photo