Vernon

Video contributed: Scott May

A five unit town home at Kikanee Estates on Heritage Drive in Vernon was destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon.

The complex is owned by the Vernon Native Housing Society and they are looking for help in housing the 10 displaced residents.

"They're all adaptable units, so they're modified units for people in wheelchairs." says spokesperson Karen Gerein. "We have two 1 bedrooms, two 2 bedrooms and one 3 bedroom units.

The fire broke out at 3:15 and quickly spread throughout the complex.

"The fire started in the second unit and spread to basically three other units," says Vernon Deputy Fire Chief Lawrie Skolrood.

"It was a substantial fire. It entailed a fair amount of effort to suppress it. It was quite a sensational fire with a lot of flame and smoke."

No one was injured in the blaze, although there was some concern over one woman who was initially reported missing, but it turns out she was visiting friends in Vancouver.

Skolrood says all five units are uninhabitable, but the residents of two of the units could move back in relatively soon.

"An office and two suites are definitely in need of restoration. It's a question of whether or not the integrity of the building will be enough to restore it or knock it down."

Gerein is hoping someone in the area might have an available property they could make available for the displaced residents.Anyone with available ground-floor, one-levels units is asked to call 250-550-5833.

"It's got to be something that's easily accessible for somebody in a wheelchair."
 
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

If you have pictures or video, email them to news@castanet.net.

Photo: Contributed - Vernon Fire Department

Flames can be seen shooting from a 5 unit town home in Kikanee Estates Thursday afternoon.