Human remains found after Vernon apartment fire

A blaze at an Vernon apartment complex last week claimed a life.

Fire broke out at the Parkview Garden Apartments in the 2312 36 Street on the morning of March 25, prompting the evacuation of the building and a mutual aid response from fire departments in Armstrong, Spallumcheen and Coldstream.

The blaze originated on the ground floor of the two-storey complex severely damaging four units which are uninhabitable, the city said. Several other suites will need to be repaired before residents can return home while others have returned.

RCMP said one of the residents was home at the time of the fire and wasn’t able to escape. Their remains were found in one of the units.

The identity of the person who died in the fire hasn’t been released.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined although criminality isn’t suspected.

Both the RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating.

“We want to extend our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of the deceased,” Vernon RCMP media relations officer Const. Chris Terleski said in a media release.