Body found in rubble following Cawston house fire

PENTICTON – The B.C. Coroners Office is investigating a death that occurred last weekend in connection to a house fire in Cawston.

Keremeos RCMP Cpl. Brian Evans says human remains were found in the house that burned on Saturday, Jan. 21.

The victim’s name has not been released.

Keremeos firefighters were called to the Spoonemore Road home at around 4 a.m. and spent several hours battling the blaze. An excavator had to be brought in to take the building down in order for crews to extinguish hot spots.

Keremeos Fire Chief Jordy Bosshca said he was informed someone may have been inside the house, but nothing could be done as the building was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.

“We were told the occupant hadn’t been seen in a few days,” Bosscha said.

As the firefighters battled back the flames, Bosscha said it appeared as though there was something on what remained of a mattress in a bedroom. He says police were on scene during the fire.

Bosscha said all the firefighers involved were debriefed following the fire.

— This story was updated at 1:10 p.m. Jan. 25, 2017 to provide additional details of the incident from Keremeos Fire Chief Jordy Bosscha.

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