Smoke alarm, exit plan paid off for West Kelowna resident in trailer fire

WEST KELOWNA – Earlier this month, West Kelowna firefighters visited the Paradise Mobile Home Park to remind residents about smoke detectors and to discuss exit plans in case of fire.

Both were needed Monday night.

Around 9 p.m., one of the units caught on fire and assistant fire chief Brent Watson says usual escape routes weren't available to the person inside.

"The intense, rapidly growing fire made escape out of the front door impossible, forcing the occupant to jump to safety out of a back window," he said.

Visible flames told arriving firefighters to page a second alarm. They kept the fire from spreading to other units and extinguished fire on a nearby tree. The resident escaped unharmed with his cat but the news may not be so good for his dog. It remains 'unaccounted for.'

The unit was described as 'a total loss.'

The home is insured and while investigators will comb the wreckage tomorrow, it's not considered suspicious.

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