Multiple injuries in West Kelowna house fire

WEST KELOWNA – Firefighters had their hands full on Glencoe Road last night as they dealt with multiple injuries, flames and explosions from a house fire. 

Around 9:30 p.m., crews responded to emergency calls from neighbours who heard multiple explosions and saw black smoke come from a single family home. West Kelowna Fire Rescue chief Jason Brolund said in a release that multiple people had to be taken by ambulance from the scene with serious injuries. 

The explosions and structural damage made it a defensive fire attack, meaning they used water from the outside to prevent the fire from spreading. They even called in an excavator to help fight the fire, along with 17 firefighters and seven pieces of equipment as well as backfill for the rest of the city. 

A full investigation by police and fire investigators into the cause is expected today.

Crews were also called later in the evening around 11 p.m. to Casa Loma for small grass fire. There was no damage or injuries from the fire on Campbell Road, which was caused by two high voltage lines touching and producing sparks, Brolund said.

— This story was updated at 4:27 p.m. Thursday, July 5, 2018 to add more information from West Kelowna Fire Rescue.

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