Kelowna heritage building sustains ‘extensive damage’ in fire — again

One of Kelowna's oldest buildings sustained 'extensive damage' in a fire early this morning.

Kelowna Fire Department says 911 calls came in around 3:07 a.m. with reports of flames coming from Fleming House between Leckie Road and Dilworth Drive. 

"On scene, the first arriving officer confirmed the building was fully involved with flames," Platoon Capt. Dennis Miller said in a release. "A defensive fire attack was deployed and the fire was controlled from the outside protecting other buildings on the site."

Miller made no comment about a suspected cause of the fire.

It's the second fire on the site in two years. In July, 2018, the 147-year-old Fleming House went up in flames in what Kelowna Fire Department considered a 'human-caused fire' but not arson. No accelerants were used and fire officials said there were signs someone was using a fire to keep warm. 

The City of Kelowna restored portions of the house by rebuilding the roof last year. 

Fleming House is one of the oldest homes in Kelowna and sits beside the grist mill, considered one of, if not the oldest grist mill in B.C. They were both built by Frederick Brent, according to the City of Kelowna. 

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