Kelowna

Update: 5:30 p.m. Monday - Kirschner Road between Harvey Avenue and Dolphin Avenue has been reopened to regular traffic.

The two block section of Kirschner had been closed since Saturday evening due to a fire at the Stewart Centre.

The fire site has been secured and efforts to remove contaminants that collected during the fire fighting effort are continuing.


Update: 4 p.m. Monday - The cause of the Stewart Centre fire is undetermined, says Assistant Chief Jason Brolund.

"Because the access to the scene is limited by the contaminants and by the structural condition of the building, we have not been able to determine the cause,” says Brolund.

Though the investigation has now been turned over to the RCMP, it does not mean the blaze has a criminal element.

"Us turning the investigation over to the RCMP is no indication of the fire being suspicious or not suspicious. It's just that we've pursued our investigational avenues at this point," says Brolund.

A total of seven businesses were lost in inferno, and several other businesses suffered smoke damage.

"From the fire department's perspective, while it was a five million dollar loss to the one building, good tactical decisions, plain old hard work and good firefighting techniques resulted in at least 20 million dollars being saved on either side," he says.

The five million dollar figure is for the structure only, an estimate as to the value of contents lost will not be provided.

The 69 firefighting personnel on scene were shocked by what they witnessed as they attended Saturday's fire, says Brolund.

"I've seen a significant number of fires in my career, and that was one of the ones that will stick with you. This was a fireworks show right from the beginning."

Speaking to media at an EOC meeting Monday afternoon, Brolund says cylinders of compressed gas being propelled high into the night sky made the already volatile fire even more dangerous.

“I was praying as I was watching these things come down, that it wouldn't be our equipment, our people or any of the bystanders being hit," says Brolund.


Update: 6 p.m. Sunday - Damage to the ruined one-storey portion of the Stewart Centre on Kirschner Road is at least five million dollars, says assistant fire chief Jason Brolund.

The sharp series of explosions heard during the blaze were fueled by explosive compounds stored in the building.

"This is a worst-case scenario. We have an irrigation supply, PVC piping, compressed gases in the welding shop. We also have propane, glycol, methanol, those kinds of things that are used in the agricultural industry," says Brolund.


Update: 7 a.m. Sunday - Though firefighters are still putting out hot spots, evacuees displaced during Saturday night's fire have been allowed to return home, says Assistant Fire Chief Jason Brolund.

Brolund says the hard work and determination of fire crews kept the fire contained to the Stewart Centre, saving the structure located next door from what appeared to be almost certain destruction.

One firefighter was injured, but has since been released from hospital.

Highway 97 and Springfield Road have been reopened.

Access to the area immediately surrounding the fire (Kirschner Road, Dickson Avenue and Dolphin Avenue) remains restricted, says Brolund.

A welding supply, irrigation supply and agricultural supply warehouse were all involved in the fire.

"A volatile mix of explosive materials combined with fertilizers and pesticides have burnt, hence the need for the evacuation and ongoing concern regarding water contamination due to firefighting water that has run off from the scene," says Brolund.

The provincial Environment Ministry and Interior Health are monitoring the situation.

While the investigation has begun, no cause has been determined and no dollar loss has been estimated.


Update: 12:15 a.m. Sunday - A tactical evacuation has been done in the area temporarily which has closed Harvey Ave from Burtch to Cooper and Springfield Rd from Burtch to Cooper. Any residents affected by the tactical evacuation are asked to attend the 1st United Church at 721 Bernard Ave(corner of Richter and Bernard) further updates will be provided on when affected residents may return to the area. No injuries reported at this time, damage assessment not available at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation.


Kelowna Fire Department crews are on the scene of a large fire which has engulfed a portion of the Stewart Centre on Kirschner Road.

The blaze has forced closure of both Harvey Avenue and Springfield Road between Burtch and Cooper.

The fire broke out at about 9:45 Saturday evening.

It began with what appeared to be several small explosions and quickly grew.

A large wall of flames climbed several metres into the air and thick, black smoke filled the night air.

People as far away as East Kelowna say they heard several explosions.

Firefighters from several halls in Kelowna were called to help with the blaze.

Firefighters on the scene say they had hooked up to as many as six hydrants in an effort to get enough water to battle the inferno.

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