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Kelowna  

Arson suspect sought

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.

Kelowna RCMP are searching for a specific suspect in connection with an arson behind the Central Kitchen and Bar Friday.

The Kelowna Fire Department contained the fire to the rear of the building.

The investigation to date reveals that the fire was intentionally set directly below the gas metre on the outside of the building. The gas line had also been cut, to release the gas.

Police are looking for a man seen in the area at the time. He is described as:

  • Caucasian
  • Approximately 6 feet
  • Heavy set
  • Black hair
  • Wearing a red bandana with a white pattern that covered most of his face
  • Carrying a large hiking backpack
  • Wearing a blue over gray hooded rain type jacket

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.


UPDATE: 1:33 p.m.

Kelowna RCMP are calling the fire behind Central Kitchen + Bar "suspicious."

"This investigation is in its infancy and more information will be released as it becomes available." said Const. Tania Carroll in a press release. 

Kelly Stephens, platoon captain of Kelowna Fire Department, said there was no extension of flames or heat into the interior of the building, and there were no injuries reported.


UPDATE: 12:50 p.m.

Central Kitchen + Bar wasn't the only business affected by a gas fire at the back of their building.

"When I looked, our building had fire all over it, it may have been blowing from the other side," said Darrin Caruso, at ChainLine Cycle. "Probably six feet (high), it was like a blowtorch."

ChainLine Cycle was evacuated during the fire, but are now back up and running.


UPDATE: 12:20 p.m.

Employees of Central Kitchen + Bar say a small fire appeared to be intentionally set Friday underneath the gas meter of the building.

A chef told Castanet a flammable material appeared to have been set ablaze below the gas meter. 

“A table (customers) saw a man running away and asked us if he worked here,” explained the chef. “They told us the man was wearing a bandana over his face.”

Jared Lee, co-owner of Central Kitchen + Bar, said the gas was ignited by the fire, causing flames to shoot out like a "flamethrower" against the side of the building. 

The blaze has been extinguished and Platoon Capt. Kelly Stephens says the flames did not extend into the building.

“Everyone is safe, but we don’t know what caused it,” said Stephens. “Our fire investigator is coming to look at it and let us know what caused it (the fire).”

The Central sports club and restaurant were both evacuated.

It’s unclear when the business will reopen as FortisBC and fire investigators remain on scene.


ORIGINAL

A downtown pub and sportsplex have been evacuated after a reported fire.

Emergency crews are on scene at the Central Kitchen + Bar and Central Sportsclub, located on Ellis Street near Prospera Place.

More to come.



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