UPDATE: Fire officials continue to investigate cause of Vernon fire

VERNON – Investigation continues this morning into a garage fire on Middleton Mountain.

The fire broke out around 4 p.m. yesterday, Jan. 23, on Mount Bulman Place, sending a thick, black column of smoke into the air. The residents were not home at the time, interim Vernon fire chief David Lind says.

“The fire was noted by other residents in the neighbourhood, they heard loud bangs and noted dark smoke and flame coming from the garage,” Lind says.

A number of current and retired firefighters live in the area, and were quick to join initial response crews at the scene, Lind says.

Firefighters were able to contain most of the damage to the garage, although the home did see some smoke and heat damage.

A vehicle inside the garage was also destroyed.

The residents were unable to stay at the home overnight and were provided with support from Emergency Social Services should they require it, Lind says. Restoration crews began tackling the damage last night.

Lind, who was hired as the interim fire chief in November, says he was very impressed by the firefighters. He’s also praising the actions of the public.

“What I witnessed was everyone staying back and being very supportive,” he says.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

— This story was updated at 8:43 a.m. Jan. 24, 2017 to add more details from interim fire chief David Lind. 

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