Structure fire destroys building, closes stretch of Highway 97

A structure fire in Penticton has destroyed a building, forced evacuations and shut down a section of Highway 97 , while investigators work to determine what sparked the Wednesday night blaze.

City officials said there were no reported injuries, but roughly a dozen homes were evacuated as a precaution. Emergency support services have been made available for residents displaced by the fire. Officials said the building was a total loss after crews brought the fire under control.

Firefighters from Penticton were joined by crews from surrounding communities as flames tore through the structure on Green Avenue. At its height, witnesses described large flames and heavy smoke visible from several blocks away.

The City of Penticton urged the public to stay away from the Green Avenue area while crews continued to work on scene. As of Thursday morning, Highway 97 remained closed between Warren Avenue and Skaha Lake Road, according to DriveBC.