BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Injured naked man at townhouse fire suffered significant burns

KELOWNA – Fire crews fighting a fire at a townhouse complex under construction just southwest of downtown Kelowna this morning discovered an injured, naked man inside.

Firefighters were called at about 7:15 a.m., March 22, to an attic fire at the complex on Buckland Road near the old Kelowna Secondary School property.

A firefighter says they had just finished extinguishing the fire when they heard someone breathing. They found a naked man suffering from smoke inhalation and burns.

He was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Kelowna RCMP said this afternoon the man, an employee, suffered significant burns and was flown to the Lower Mainland for further medical care. 

No word yet what started the fire or how much damage was done to the building. Platoon Capt. Kelly Stephens says it's unusual for a fire to start in an attic but investigators are on scene.

Stephens says it's unknown if the man was squatting in the builiding or if he worked on the construction site, and the RCMP are investigating.

Worksafe B.C. was also notified as well as RCMP Forensic Identification Services are trying to identify the cause of the fire. 

The RCMP are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious earlier this morning in the area of Buckland Avenue and Marshall Street, or may have any information at all, to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.

— This story was updated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 22, 2017 to include a comment from the Platoon Captain.

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