Burning bedding sparks scare

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Karen Wells lives in the complex.

An elderly woman was hospitalized after a fire broke out in her Penticton apartment late Monday night.

The blaze started around 11:44 p.m. in the unit on the third floor of the apartment complex at 241 Scott Ave.

Two fire trucks with three firefighters on each responded to the fire, believed to be caused by the person who lived in the unit smoking.

The mattress and papers on the nightstand initially caught fire. There was some smoke damage and damage caused by use of the fire extinguisher.

The woman was expected to be released from hospital Tuesday morning. She will be put up by emergency social services, said Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding.

The manager at the apartments did not allow media to enter the building.

Karen Wells, a woman who lives there, said she heard the fire was caused by someone smoking in bed.
It was her understanding the manager rushed up and put out the fire, which was burning the woman's quilt.

“It was very frightening, when you are afraid everything will go up in smoke", she said. “It’s the worst thing you can do is smoke in bed.”