Cause of fire that destroyed Vernon ministry office will likely remain unknown

VERNON – Investigators do not know for sure what started a massive fire in downtown Vernon and after a week-long investigation, have classified the cause as undetermined.

The violent blaze burned down a 48 Avenue building that housed the Ministry of Social Development office and a podiatry clinic June 30. Deputy fire chief Lawrie Skolrood has been investigating the fire, and says there is no definitive evidence as to what caused it.

There was some speculation that roofing activities may have started the blaze, and while video footage shows the fire did start somewhere between the ceiling and the roof, Skolrood can’t say for sure if that was the cause.

“It burned extremely violently so when it (the ceiling) did collapse into the office space, along with more fuel, it virtually incinerated any evidence,” Skolrood says.

Pieces of equipment from the roof will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation, and while Skolrood says that could turn up a new lead, the department is fairly certain the cause will go down as undetermined. The fire is not considered suspicious. 

The Ministry of Social Development has set up a temporary location at Service B.C. to assist clients.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.