West Kelowna building collapses, traps one occupant

WEST KELOWNA – One person was rushed to hospital today after a heavy load of snow caused a building to collapse.

West Kelowna Fire Crews responded to the emergency in the Gill Road area of Glenrosa shortly after 12 p.m. today, Feb. 13.

"It appears that excessive snow load on the structure caused the roof to collapse inward, pinning the occupant," Assistant Fire Chief Brent Watson says in a release.

Crews secured the unstable Quonset hut structure before entering. Watson says crews made relief cuts in the metal roof and shored it up to create a gap around the trapped occupant. Once extracted, the occupant was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Four engines, a squad, two command units and a safety responded to the call.

"With warmer temperatures on the horizon and the possibility of rain later in the week, people need to exercise caution in and around buildings and other structures that may be adversely impacted by the increased overhead loading," Watson says.

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