Fire under investigation

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Theresa Van Horn sorts through clothes she is collecting for the family

The fire Thursday night at a Penticton townhome complex remains under investigation.

Although it was rumoured to be caused by a child playing with matches, fire chief Wayne Williams said they are still looking into it.

"We have no idea of the cause at this time. It is still under investigation, until we have a chance to talk to everyone," he said.

The Penticton Fire Department responded to the fire on the top floor of a unit at the Chateau Village on South Main Street at about 6:30 p.m.

Crews did a great job, with the first crew giving it a good blast, which slowed it down, and the second crew able to get inside and totally extinguish it, said Williams.

"It could have been a whole lot worse, it could have extended to other units," he said.

The family who lived in the home all got out OK, and are in the care of Emergency Support Services. 

Neighbours, surveying the damage Friday morning, said they had never seen anything like it.

"I've never been this close to a fire before. I saw massive flames coming from the top floor window very close to the tree," said Theresa Van Horn. "My brother-in-law also went and knocked on all the neighbours' doors to get them out safely.'

Van Horn is also doing her part to help out the family, who she has known for a long time.

"They basically left with just the clothes on their backs, so I went on Facebook last night and started asking for donations to help them," she said.

As of Friday morning, people were already dropping off bags of clothes on her doorstep. Van Horn said they are also in the process of setting up a GoFundMe account.

Those interested in helping can contact Van Horn at (250) 460-1551.

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer