Huge fire guts commercial building in Kelowna

KELOWNA – A massive clean-up job awaits after fire investigators are done combing through the remains of a massive structure fire early this morning in the 2700 block of Highway 97 in Kelowna.

Kelowna Fire Department crews responded to the fire at 5:10 a.m. today, Sept. 10 after multiple 911 calls, platoon captain Kelly Stephens says in a media release, only to find 20-foot flames and smoke pouring from the building.

The surrounding buildings contain legal cannabis growing operations, but an RCMP officer on scene confirmed the fire did not start in one of them.

Fire crews used multiple hoses and a pair of ladder trucks along with five engines and 42 personnel, Stephens added, with Fortis B.C. and Kelowna RCMP also on scene.

The commercial building was destroyed, however crews prevented it from spreading to other buildings. A City of Kelowna suction truck had to be brought in to suck up excess water in a bid to prevent water damage to neighbouring businesses.

A backhoe has been brought in to dig through the rubble of the building for hot spots and crews, as well as arson investigators, will be on scene all day.

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