Firefighters called to blazes in Penticton and Summerland

PENTICTON – Penticton firefighters were called to a structure fire on Fairview Road around noon today.

Penticton Fire Chief Larry Watkinson says both engines from number one and two halls arrived at a residence on Fairview Road near Fairview Grocery to find a fire burning on a cedar roof.

Watkinson says firefighters were able to quickly douse the blaze before it could spread inside the structure.

The fire is believed to have ignited from sparks emanating from the chimney after the resident began burning cardboard in his fireplace.

Watkinson says age of the dry cedar roof was a factor in the blaze.

Summerland firefighters were also called to a barbecue blaze on Giant’s Head Road at around 3:30 this afternoon.

Firefighters arrived to find a barbecue in flames on the resident’s driveway. They hosed down the propane tank to keep it cool, returning to the firehall just after 4 p.m.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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