Fire under investigation

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Deputy fire chief Dave Spalding says the cause of a garage fire on Middle Bench Road in Penticton early Friday remains under investigation.

The fire broke out just before 1 a.m.

Firefighters found a garage behind the home at 130 Middle Bench Rd. fully engulfed in flames.

Crews were on scene for about three hours, with two remaining behind to deal with hot spots.

A neighbour, who called 911, said he was awoken by a bang, and when he tried to go back to sleep he heard another bang.

"I got up, and I could see the house was really bright and the whole garage was engulfed," he said.

Spalding said it's not necessarily an explosion that started the fire. The bangs more likely came during the course of the fire.

The property owner was not available to comment.

In addition to the garage going up in flames, equipment, a car and some recreational vehicles also burned.

Firefighters were able to protect a motorhome parked adjacent to garage.

Spalding said there is no reason to think the fire was suspicious at this time.