West Kelowna

Video: Inferno on McIver

by Grant Scott - Story: 71499
Feb 24, 2012 / 5:11 pm

West Kelowna firefighters battle the blaze from the backyard.

Photo: Grant Scott - Castanet

Fire has destroyed a home on McIvor Road in West Kelowna.

A Hazmat team from Kelowna had to be called to the scene of the fire late Friday afternoon.

The home is owned by an exterminator and there is concern over what chemicals might be inside.

West Kelowna Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler says until the chemicals are identified, no offensive action will be taken.

"We're taking a totally defensive approach on the fire and we're trying to get a list of chemicals from someone that knows the occupant," says Schnitzler.

The home owner is reported to be out of the country at this time.

"In the case of any fire that deals with chemicals, we like to bring the experts in so they can look and give us some good advice on what we should be doing here."

The adjacent shed was completely destroyed and fire has gutted the home.

The call came in shortly before 4 p.m. Friday afternoon and Schnitzler says it will take hours before the fire is completely put out due to the hazardous situation.

The Hazmat team was also there to protect the fire crews when they are done battling the blaze. They set up their decontamination tent at the scene to be ready to make sure all hazardous materials are cleaned off both crews and equipment.

"When the firefighters are finished operating on the scene, they will be washed down completely as well as their equipment so that we make sure of firefighter safety when they come out. This fire will take longer to fight because were staying outside of the smokey areas," says Schnitzler.

No one was home at the time of the blaze.

Due to concern over chemicals burning in the fire, emergency crews retreat from a cloud of smoke which drifted up McIver Rd.