Update: Cause Determined For House Fire

Feb 6, 2019 | 5:15 PM

UPDATE

Fire officials have wrapped up their investigation into a blaze that destroyed a home on Kalamalka Lake Road in Coldstream Monday.

Fire chief Dave Sturgeon says it started in the chimney and spread.

“It was a chimney fire and it transferred to the structure, to the exterior of the building. Part of the house is heated by wood heat as well as baseboard backup,” Sturgeon tells Beach Radio News.

He says the structure which dates back to 1967, is a total loss, and will be torn down.

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The family of five who lived there did have insurance.

A Go Fund Me account started by a neighbor to help the family has raised over $16,000 at last check.

The home is located across from Creekside Park.

Crews are busy cleaning up after a fire broke out at this house early this morning in #coldstream pic.twitter.com/U8KpRGfizi

— Vernon Matters (@VernonMattersca) February 4, 2019

UPDATE 1 pm Feb. 4

An adult and three children were able to flee the flames of a house fire on Kalamalka Lake Road in Coldstream this morning.

The blaze across from Creekside Park, in the 1000 block of Kal Lake Road, was fully engulfed when fire crews arrived.

“It was a family of five. One occupant was at work and an adult and three children were home at the time. She was able to get the kids out safely. The neighbors took then in and kept everybody warm and then family members arrived and were able to take them to their house,” Coldstream Fire Chief Dave Sturgeon tells Beach Radio News.

Sturgeon says their did what they could to subdue the flames, but the frigid weather made it difficult, and the home is expected to be right off.

“The cold makes it extremely challenging. The over-spray of water freezes everything, it freezes the firefighters. Everything kept working but we took extra precautions,” adds Sturgeon.

He says it started at the back of the house, with the cause under investigation, but not considered suspicious.

“We have area of origin, but further investigation will determine what caused the fire. At this time we’re not sure,” says Sturgeon who says 25 firefighters from Coldstream were at the scene along with two trucks and right firefighters from neighboring Lavington.

UPDATE 10 am

BC Ambulance confirms everyone got out from house fire on Kalamalka Lake Road across from Creekside Park in Coldstream.

Visually, there appears to be major damage to home.

Kal Lake Rd is closed between McClounie and Kidston Road at this point.

We hope to talk to fire officials soon to get more on the cause and other details.

7:30 am

A house is engulfed in flames on Kal Lake Road near Creekside Park.

Crews are currently on scene but no word yet if there were any occupants in the home.

Beach Radio news will provide updates as information becomes available.

by Corey Fischer