By Shawn McCleary

Update: Apartment Fire Near Alexis Park Under Control

Jul 10, 2017 | 7:41 PM

Part of a Vernon apartment complex sustained significant damage in a fire Monday night.

Residents at the Arbor Lee at 3800 40th Avenue in the Alexis Park area heard an explosion around 7 pm followed by a fire in an upper floor unit which spread to at least two other units.

Several other units had major smoke and water damage, but everyone got out safely.

The fire was stubborn as it got into the roof and attic.

It proved hard to put-out, flaring up later in the night and causing more damage until crews had a chance to douse it more thoroughly.

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The residents impacted, possibly up to 12 units, will be looked after by emergency social services who provide lodging and food.

The cause is under investigation but there’s was speculation it may have started from a BBQ or propane tank on a balcony.

The Coldstream and BX Swan Lake Fire Departments provided assistance at the scene.

Update: 10:15 pm

Crews now have the fire under control and are continuing to douse it with water.

Update: 9:50 pm

Vernon fire crews now have the support of the Coldstream Fire Department who are on scene actioning the fire as well.

KISS-FM News Director Pete McIntyre reports from the scene:

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Video courtesy of Chelseay Coatsworth-Babiy

Update: 9:20 pm

Despite fire crews’ best efforts to contain an knock down the fire at the Arbor Lee strata complex, the situation has worsened. The fire has spread and is now burning on three units in the complex. Approximately 10 units have been evacuated so far.

We will update this story as more details become available.

Update: 8:15pm

KISS-FM News Director, Pete McIntyre is at the scene of the fire and says it appears as though crews have the fire under control, but are still working to knock it down. The Arbor Lee strata complex includes 79 units, and while several units may be damaged, McIntyre says “this is not like the Kelowna fire over the weekend. By all accounts, everyone is out safely.”

Residents of the complex say they heard an explosion followed by flames, and believe it could have been caused by a BBQ or propane tank.

We will update this story as more details become available.

Crews are responding to a structure fire at the Arbor Lee complex on Fitzmaurice Lane off of Alexis Park Drive and 40th Avenue in Vernon.

The KISS-FM News team is on the scene and we will update this story as more details become available.

Video submitted by Megan Smith.