A fire at the former SD23 building in Kelowna has been knocked down by fire crews.
Crews responding to smoke pouring from a building at the corner of Baron and Dilworth. @KelownaCapNews pic.twitter.com/k4nWyAZhUk
— Michael Rodriguez (@MichaelRdrguez) October 29, 2019
Kelowna Fire Department platoon captain Shayne Kiehlbauch said the fire started in the nearby bushes just before 11 a.m. this morning.
“The fire extended up the roof but it didn’t get into the building,” he said.
“First arriving crew reported that bushes where on fire and the flames had extended to the soffit and fascia of the single-story building. Crews deployed a hose line and quickly knocked down the fire and started pulling down the soffits and fascia to check for extension. Crews also entered the building to see if the fire had extended into the structure. The fire was contained to the outside of the building, but there was some smoke and water damage to the interior.”
Fire crews are tearing apart the roof, breaking windows while trying to quash the embers of a fire at the former SD23 building on Dilworth and Baron. @KelownaCapNews pic.twitter.com/kDogg0WGp9
— Michael Rodriguez (@MichaelRdrguez) October 29, 2019
A representative of the building told Kiehlbauch there was a person reportedly living near the building in a tent but had been asked to leave last week.
Nobody was in the building at the time and no injuries were reported.
At this time, there is no known cause for the fire and it is under investigation. Four engines, rescue truck and a command unit were dispatched to the fire along with 20 fire personal.
The former School District 23 building was recently unveiled as a new condo development site by the City of Kelowna.
@michaelrdrguez
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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