Vernon Fire Department
Suspicious dumpster fire outside Vernon high school under investigation
VERNON - A suspicious fire which started in a dumpster outside a Vernon high school is under investigation The fire department was called to Vernon Secondary School to put out the fire about 11:15 p.m., Friday, June 26. “It appeared to be suspicious in nature from what we’ve come across,” deputy fire chief Jack Blair...
Concern arises over rash of suspicious Vernon grass fires
VERNON - A pattern of suspicious brush fires in Vernon has the fire department on edge as the region heads into scorching temperatures this week. Since June 11, crews responded to four grass fires in the city, two in Becker Park June 11 and June 12, one in Jubilee Park June 22, and the fourth on...
City approves wage increase for Vernon firefighters
VERNON - Vernon firefighters will be getting a raise as part of a negotiated deal reached with the City of Vernon this week. The new collective agreement between the Vernon local of the International Association of Firefighters and the city calls for a 2.5 per cent retroactive salary increase for each year, starting in 2013,...
Another grass fire in Vernon’s Becker Park; this one is suspicious
VERNON – Vernon fire crews put out another grass fire in a park right in the middle of city. Firefighters were called to a third blaze in just over a week in Becker Park at about 6:36 a.m., Saturday, June 20. The cause of this one has been deemed suspicious in nature. Capt. Brent Bond...
Two fires in two days at Vernon’s Becker Park
VERNON - Vernon firefighters took swift action dealing with two separate fires in Becker Park over the last couple of days. Crews dispatched to a grass fire about 6 a.m., Thursday, June 11 in the park, located behind the Vernon Rec Centre. Deputy Fire Chief Jack Blair says firefighters quickly doused a 40 ft by...
Electrical fire evacuates Priest Valley Arena
VERNON – It was a busy weekend for Vernon firefighters as they responded to three separate blazes, including one at the Priest Valley Arena this morning. The main electrical panel at the aging arena went up in flames, May 10, according to Fire Capt. Dan Walker. He says the custodian called in the fire and...
Authorities investigate fire at Vernon bank
VERNON - Police and the fire department are investigating a suspicious blaze that scorched the outside of a downtown Vernon bank Monday night. Deputy Fire Chief Jack Blair says the fire started in a garbage container at the rear of CIBC on 30 Avenue around 9:30 p.m., May 4. “The fire caused extensive fire damage...
Fire at Vernon apartment building quickly doused
VERNON – If a passerby hadn’t noticed smoke from a small fire burning on the outside wall of a Vernon apartment building Saturday afternoon, it could have turned out much worse. Vernon Fire Rescue crews were called to the Sundance Suites at 2902 43 Ave. near MacDonald Park around 4:04 p.m., April 11, to a...
What Vernon firefighters hope you do differently to prevent another tragedy
VERNON - Conditions at a fire scene this week gave crews flashbacks to conditions that killed an Enderby firefighter several years ago, and the Vernon Fire Department is now issuing a public warning in the hopes of preventing another tragedy. Crews responded to a dumpster fire around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, on 14 Avenue,...
Vernon firefighters come to aid of entrapped person
VERNON - Emergency crews freed two people trapped in a car after an accident Tuesday morning. According to Vernon Fire and Rescue Services, there was a two vehicle accident just after 8 a.m. in the 4300 block of 32 Street. The driver and passenger in one of the vehicles involved were trapped inside until firefighters...
Molotov cocktail chucked at Vernon church
VERNON - Police and the Fire Department are investigating after a molotov cocktail was thrown at the Vernon Family Church Monday night. Deputy Fire Chief Lawrie Skolrood says a nearby resident noticed a large flame around 7:30 p.m. outside the church, located on 25 Avenue, and phoned 911. “It’s very fortunate the building was stucco...
Smoke leads Vernon firefighters to the Ministry of Forests
VERNON - The Vernon Fire Department attended the scene of a fire Tuesday not knowing the Ministry of Forests set it on purpose. The B.C Wildfire Management Branch planned the controlled burn just off Highway 97 in the Predator Ridge area but didn’t give the Vernon Fire Department any notice. Deputy fire chief Jack Blair...
Fire erupts at home in BX neighbourhood
VERNON - Firefighters battled flames and thick smoke after a grease fire erupted in a Vernon kitchen Friday afternoon. BX-Swan Lake fire chief Bill Wacey says it appears the homeowner was cooking falafel in her Pearson Road home when the fire started around 4 p.m. Jan 16. “We had smoke pouring out of the house,...
Alarm fails when fire catches in Vernon home
VERNON - Fire forced three Vernon women out of their home in the middle of the night. Deputy fire chief Jack Blair says the smell of smoke in their 33 Street residence woke them up around 12:30 a.m. this morning, Jan. 9. “They were very lucky they woke up,” Blair says. “It could’ve been a...
Drivers asked to avoid stretch of Bella Vista Road in Vernon
VERNON - Emergency officials are asking travelers to avoid a section of Bella Vista Road in Vernon after a car accident Saturday. Due to a single vehicle rollover on Bella Vista Road near Sandon and Davison Roads, Vernon Fire and Rescue Services is requesting drivers avoid the area. Travelers are asked to use Allenby Way...