Returning home after fire

Residents along Nighthawk Road in Okanagan Centre returned to what remained of their homes, Wednesday.

"Most of the residents went back to their homes today and are down there right now looking at their circumstances," said Lake Country Fire Chief Steve Windsor. 

For many on Nighthawk, there was just rubble to go back to, but one couple's home was mostly unscathed, despite some exterior damage. 

"It's not as bad as the next door neighbour, but we aren't going to be in it for probably months. We have three sides of the house that are going to have to be recovered, plus a lot of smoke damage inside the house, said Blair Croom. 

Croom and his wife, Joanne, said the last few days have been a roller coaster. 

"Its been up and down. You don't know what to think or what to do or what to say. When you see somebody that you know that has lost their home, what do you say to them when your home is standing and they have nothing?" Joanne said. 

"We tried to prepare ourselves for the worst, but we didn't," she added.