Police, SPCA Probe Rural House Fire

Mar 15, 2019 | 12:18 PM

UPDATE: 12:11 p.m.

Investigators from the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and the SPCA are looking into the cause of a rural house fire early Friday morning in the 300 block of Irish Creek Road on the Westside.

Police officers and members of the Okanagan Indian Band Volunteer Fire Department attended the scene just after midnight, however upon arrival the home was fully engulfed in flames and could not be saved, according to Const. Kelly Brett, RCMP spokesperson.

She said all occupants of the residence evacuated to safety, with no reports of injuries.

According to a fire department official, the house belongs to Carla Christman.

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Seven years ago, Christman was found guilty of failing to provide necessaries for an animal after the SPCA seized several horses and dogs from her property.

Brett says the investigation into the house fire “is still in the very early stages and the scene has been secured as investigators continue to look into the cause.”

“The SPCA and the RCMP are working closely together to determine the welfare of the animals on the property during the structure fire.”

However, Brett later reported that no animal suffered an injury as a result of the fire.

OKIB fire captain Frank Arnouse, who was on scene, told Beach Radio News that nine horses and five goats were moved away from danger so firefighters had full access to the blaze.

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP (Rural) General Investigative Section and RCMP fire investigators have taken conduct of investigation.

SPCA and Major Crime investigators remain on scene, Brett says.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP (Armstrong Detachment) at 250-545-3028. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com.

ORIGINAL STORY 11:14 a.m.:

An overnight fire has destroyed a house near Vernon.

Firefighters from the Okanagan Indian Band attended the scene just after midnight Friday in the 300 block of Irish Creek Road and were there for almost four hours, according to fire captain Frank Arnouse.

Arnouse says it was a difficult blaze due to the rough and steep terrain.

He says nine horses and five goats were safely removed from the property while they fought the fire and no one was in the house at the time of the blaze.

RCMP officers also attended the scene.

Arnouse says there will be an investigation into the cause.

by Kate Bouey