Two careless fires prompt warnings

Mar 29, 2021 | 11:13 AM

The Kelowna Fire Department (KFD) was busy Sunday night and Monday morning with two fires that should never have taken place.

At around 4:00 a.m. Monday (Mar. 29), the dispatch centre received an alarm and subsequent 911 call reporting a balcony on fire in the 900 block of Academy Way.

The first arriving officer reported an activated sprinkler on a first floor balcony. The sprinkler system was able to contain the fire to the balcony with no extension into the structure. Fire damage was contained to the furnishings and contents of the balcony.

KFD responded with three engines, ladder truck, rescue unit and command vehicle with sixteen personnel. The fire is deemed accidental in nature.

It appears the fire was started by in improperly extinguished cigarette, prompting a reminder for smokers to use an appropriate container to put materials in.

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At about 6:00 p.m. Sunday (Mar. 28), the dispatch center received a 911 call reporting a spreading campfire in the 6000 block of Chute Lake Rd. The caller reported they were unable to extinguish their campfire due to heavy winds and lack of water.

“On arrival, we made contact with the caller and were directed to the fires location. Crews walked in as vehicle access was not possible. The fire had only grown to approximately 4’ X 4’ in size and was quickly extinguished. Wind driven embers did travel away from the fire. The surrounding area was checked for any extension, none was found,” John Kelly, Platoon Captain, Kelowna Fire Department, said.

Due to the weather conditions at the time, KFD responded with two engines, water tender, bush unit and UTV with twelve members.

The fire department would like to remind everyone that campfires are NOT permitted within the City of Kelowna.

by Kevin Rothwell

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