Vernon Fire Rescue Service's truck parked on the Highway 97 overpass after responding to reports of a fire at a homeless encampment Monday, May 15 (photo by Pete McIntyre / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Extinguished within an hour

Fire sparked at homeless encampment

May 15, 2023 | 2:45 PM

UPDATE 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 16

The fire near the Highway 97 overpass in Vernon’s north end did destroy some items.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP confirmed with Vernon Matters that the fire destroyed a tent, which was unoccupied at the time, as well as some of its contents.

The Mounties say the fire broke out shortly after 2 p.m. at the homeless encampment and was extinguished before officers arrived on the scene.

There were no injuries linked to this incident.

Sunken Paddlewheeler Removed

CSRD, Transport Canada remove sunken boat near Celista

12h ago

Parliament remains gridlocked amid Trump trade talk and postal strike

15h ago

Fall storm could bring 'hurricane force' winds to B.C.

15h ago

The cause of the fire was not disclosed to Vernon Matters.

— Original Story —

A fire reportedly broke out at a homeless encampment in Vernon Monday, May 15.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services and BX Fire crews were called out to the Highway 97 overpass around 2 p.m. for reports of plumes of smoke in Vernon’s north end.

The fire was reportedly extinguished just before 2:40 p.m.

The City of Vernon confirmed with Vernon Matters the fire was at a homeless encampment and it was extinguished before it could spread. The fire did not result in any injuries.

The cause of the fire was not disclosed to Vernon Matters.

Vernon Fire Rescue at scene of homeless encampment fire just north of the Vernon overpass (Pete McIntyre / Vernon Matters photo)