House gutted in fire

UPDATE : 9:45 a.m.

Firefighters were called to an early morning house fire in Vernon. 

The blaze broke out about 5:30 a.m., on Highway 97, across Hospital Hill from Vernon Jubilee Hospital. 

No one was hurt, but the home is a total loss. 

Deputy fire chief Scott Hemstad says it is too early to determine what started the fire, but the blaze may have spread from the garage to the house.

Hemstad added crews did a great job knocking down the fire, despite the challenges of frigid temperatures.

"It gets pretty slippery in these temperatures. The guys have to be aware of their footing. They could easily slip on the ice created by fighting the fire."

Firefighters had the fire contained by 8:30 a.m.

The occupants of the house are renters. The homeowners have yet to be notified.

ORIGINAL: 6:30 a.m.

Firefighters are on the scene of a house fire in Vernon.

The blaze broke out in an older home on Highway 97, across Hospital Hill from Vernon Jubilee Hospital, about 5:30 a.m., according to Castanet readers at the scene.

There's no word yet on what caused the fire or if any injuries are involved.

Castanet will update this story as more details become available.

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