UPDATE: Grassfire burning near Batchelor Height homes quickly doused

KAMLOOPS – A grass fire burning on the edge of the Batchelor Heights neighbourhood was quickly doused this afternoon.

The fire was behind homes on Saddleback Drive in dry grass. Kamloops Fire Rescue crews are still on the scene doing mop up to put out the final few hot spots Platoon Captain Troy Grant says.

"Three engines and a bush truck are working the fire. Forestry is there as well," he says.

Smoke could be seen throughout the city coming from the blaze, water from the firefighters' hose was visible from Sahali and flames were spotted by witnesses in Riverside Park.

"It was substantial and growing quickly," Grant says. "The fire was hit quickly and knocked down."

He says the fire did start at a residence.

B.C. Hydro is reporting over 1,750 customers are without power along the western side of the North Thompson River starting near where the fire is burning to north of Black Pines.

– This story was updated at 5:05 p.m. Monday, July 3, 2017 with new information after the fire was put out.

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