Why a fire in Rutland could have been a lot worse

KELOWNA — Firefighters put out a structure fire in Rutland last night that could have been a lot worse.

Kelowna Fire Department was called to the blaze in the 400 block of Rutland Road North overnight and found smoke and flames coming from a six-plex multi-family home. Platoon Capt. Tim Light says they managed to keep the fire confined to just one of the units. So far, the cause is unknown but will be investigated this morning.

"One person was home sleeping when the fire started," Light says in a release. "A working smoke detector alerted the occupant to the fire and assisted in his escaping the fire."

Light says they responded with 21 firefighters, four engines and two administrative vehicles before the fire was out.

Emergency Social Services was called to help five people and their pets. 

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.