Firefighters called to Okanagan Corrections Centre to deal with fire in cell

An early morning fire at the Okanagan Correctional Centre created smoky conditions in one of the institution’s cell blocks.

Oliver Fire Department personnel responded to a fire in at the jail around 2:45 a.m today, Feb. 5.

Fire department spokesperson Rob Graham says the correctional centre advised him that some materials caught on fire while a prisoner was in their cell.

“It created quite a bit of smoke, that’s why they called us. We were given entrance to the building and escorted by corrections officers to the scene,” Graham says.

Guards had evacuated the portion of the cell block affected by smoke prior to the firefighters’ arrival, so no one was in any danger, Graham says.

Six firefighters were able to clear out the smoke and remove the burning materials, which appeared to be bedding and paper products.

Graham says it was a bit of a process getting into the structure, which he noted was largely fireproof.

“There’s not much that’s going to burn in there,” he said.

Graham says there were no reports of injuries.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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