Weekend fire in West Kelowna ‘likely accidental’

What started as a sudden burst of sparks near a power pole quickly turned into a roadside fire along Dobbin Rd. and Elliott Rd. on Sunday, and investigators now say it appears to have been accidental.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue says the cause has not been conclusively determined, but early evidence points to an electrical issue linked to nearby power lines. Based on witness reports, an object was seen dropping from the area of the lines in a shower of sparks just before flames were spotted at ground level.

Fire crews were called shortly before 4 p.m. to reports of explosions and fire near the intersection. On arrival, they found landscaping and bushes burning at the base of a power pole, which was also on fire.

Because the pole carried live high-voltage lines, crews held back until BC Hydro arrived to shut off power. Dobbin Rd. was temporarily reduced to a single lane of traffic.