Excavator works to clear fire site on 30th Street in Vernon. (Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Update

Vernon fire site clean up ‘progressing well’

Mar 24, 2024 | 8:30 AM

The charred debris left over from a major fire in downtown Vernon eight months ago should all be cleared from the site in a few weeks.

That’s according to an update from Vernon Fire Rescue Services provided to city council on the clean-up at 2807 block of 30th Street.

The Okanagan Eatery restaurant and several other businesses were destroyed in an overnight fire on July 4, 2023.

In a report to city council, Fire Rescue said the contractor undertaking the clean-up for the property owner said the project is progressing well.

“The work is focused on the materials closest to the adjacent alleyway with the team being able to remove three to four bins of debris per day. The work is being performed with moderate asbestos safety controls in place,” fire department management said.

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The project is expected to take three weeks to complete.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by RCMP which classified it as suspicious.