Street reopens after fire

UPDATE 10:30 A.M.

The 200 block of Main Street has now reopened to traffic after a structure fire at Fibonacci Roastery & Cafe early Wednesday morning. 

UPDATE 8:52 a.m.

According to deputy fire chief Dave Spalding, six firefighters and two engines responded to the structure fire on Penticton's Main Street at 4:52 a.m.

When they arrived on scene they saw visible smoke in the book store, and when they went to investigate they found fire in the ceiling space above the store.

They have been spending time extinguishing that fire, which got into sawdust and insulation.

Fibonacci, Hooked on Books and businesses upstairs have all been impacted by the fire.

Business owners at the scene did not wish to comment, but owners of other businesses on Main Street, said they were sorry this happened and felt bad for the owners.

The 200 block of Main Street remains closed to traffic.

The cause of the fire is under investigation

A large business fire early Wednesday morning has crews busy and has forced a street closure.

The Penticton Fire Department has been responding to the structure fire at Fibonacci Roastery & Cafe and Hooked on Books in Downtown Penticton since just before 5 a.m.

Officials say a fire was discovered in the floor space, which extended to the offices above.

Crews were able to get control of the majority of the fire at approximately 7 a.m., and are now shifting their focus to interior walls.

To assist with the response, the 200 block of Main Street is entirely closed to traffic.

The City of Penticton is asking drivers to find alternate routes.

Barricades are currently preventing traffic from entering the scene.

Crews expect the closure will be in effect for several hours.

Castanet has a reporter on the way to the scene and will provide more details as they become available.

With files Deborah Pfeiffer