Vernon
5 people, 7 pets escape fire
Vernon house fire March 12, 2013
Update: March 14
Vernon Deputy Fire Chief Lawrie Skolrood has confirmed the cause of the blaze to be unattended candles left in the bathroom. He also says the couple who had been taken to hospital have now been released with minor injuries and are staying in a hotel.
A massive fire broke out on 30th Avenue in Vernon early this morning, causing five people and seven animals to run for their lives.
Just before 6 a.m. a neighbor heard yelling outside and saw a man covered in soot with no shoes or shirt on. The neighbour, a career firefighter, who was off duty at the time, lent him some clothing and called in the fire department while his wife drove the couple to hospital.
Approximately 23 firefighters attended the scene at 2003 30th Avenue, but a cause is yet to be determined.
“The house was an old building that was difficult to overhaul. The sawdust and insulation in the roof made it challenging,” says Vernon Deputy Fire Chief Lawrie Skolrood.
“The kitchen and living room are destroyed.”
Emergency Social Services are looking after the couple who lived downstairs; they were not injured in the blaze. The other couple is still in hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation.
Send photos and video to news@castanet.net
Read more Vernon News
- Bus stop purse snatch May 13
- Townhouse fire destroys kitchen May 12
- Flying car crashes near school May 10
- Sword wielder beaten with skateboard May 8
- Target opens its doors in the Okanagan May 7
