UPDATE Fire-displaced residents at Vernon shelter get temporary homes

UPDATE  1:15 p.m. Oct. 19

The more than 80 residents of Vernon’s Emergency Response Centre (ERC) displaced by a fire have been relocated into other accommodations.

The Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS), which operates the homeless shelter in the 2500 block of 37th Street, said a pre-existing arrangement with local business owners, and support from BC Housing, allowed for some of the displaced clients to move into vacant hotel and motel rooms.

The rest are at a City of Vernon emergency temporary shelter on a city-owned site at the Creekside Conference Centre in the Vernon Recreation Complex.

It’s not known how long the residents could be out of the regular shelter after a small electrical fire in an office Sunday evening that was not considered suspicious.

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“The folks accessing the Emergency Response Centre rely on Turning Points’ services and programs for a sense of safety and security. But, they are also fighters and I have no doubt that they will continue to be fighters through this difficult experience,” said TPCS Executive Director, Randene Wejr.
“Along with our community partners, we will continue to work closely with our clients to minimize any potential trauma from this experience. It should be noted, our incredible staff have adapted its practices to ensure clients still have unimpeded access to Turning Points programs and services during this time.”

Vernon Fire Rescue Services and TPCS are still assessing the damage and investigating the cause of the fire.

“However, we remain optimistic that these measures will be temporary and that clients and staff will be back at the ERC soon, once the damage has been fixed it is safe to return,” Wejr added.

Turning Points Collaborative Society will provide more information as it becomes available.

Homeless residents had just moved into the EPC on 37th Street this month after spending the summer in a temporary shelter at the Vernon Curling Club.

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10:10 p.m. Oct. 18 story

About 85 residents of Vernon’s Emergency Response Centre (ERC) are having to find temporary lodging after a suspected electrical fire at the shelter on 37th Street Sunday evening.

The small fire in the office part of the building caused the evacuation of staff and clients shortly after 5 p.m., Sunday (October 18).

“Thanks to the quick action of staff, the Emergency Response Centre was evacuated and all clients and staff were removed safely. Everyone has been accounted for and there are no reports of injuries,” stated a news release from Josh Winquist, director of public relations with the Turing Points Collaborative Society which runs the facility.

“Turning Points Collaborative Society would like to highlight the incredible work done by our staff in preventing what could have been a potentially disastrous situation,” said Winquist. “By taking quick and decisive action tonight, not only were our clients safely removed from harm’s way but also the damage to the ERC was kept to a minimum.”

The society is also thanking Vernon Fire Rescue for its response.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it does not appear to be suspicious,” said Deputy Chief Scott Hemstad. “Thanks to the quick action of the staff on site and the responding firefighters, damage to the building was contained to the interior and was minimized. The facility will remain inaccessible for a period of time.”

BC Housing and Turning Points Collaborative (TPC) have requested assistance from the City of Vernon to provide a temporary location for up to 86 evacuees. The Creekside Conference Centre has been set up as an evacuation centre with supplies from TPC and the City’s ESS program. TPC staff and security are on site.

At this time, there is no clear indication as to how long the ERC services will be suspended.

“Our staff and community partners will be working around the clock to help our clients affected by this unfortunate and unforeseeable event. The society will provide updates as they become available,” added Winquist.