Rutland fire not suspicious

UPDATE 11:00 a.m.

Kelowna Fire Platoon Captain Tim Light has just sent Castanet an update on the Rutland house fire which started at approximately 07:25 a.m. in the 300 Block of Rutland Rd. South.

Initial response crews assisted the occupants in exiting the house. "The fire crews on scene darkened the fire down from the exterior of the residence before entering and extinguishing the fire. Crews remain on scene to check for extension and assist investigators," says Light.

Light says, "2 occupants have been displaced and are being assisted by Emergency Support Services. No one was injured in the fire, however 1 pet cat was found deceased."

The cause of the fire is not suspicious and investigators are continuing to investigate to confirm the actual cause.

Four Engines a Command Unit a Rescue truck and a Safety Vehicle along with 19 fire personnel were on scene to fight the fire.

UPDATE 10:22 a.m.

Kelowna Fire Platoon Captain Tim Light tells Castanet they received the 911call just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. The fire is believed to have started in the downstairs fireplace. When firefighters arrived at 350 Rutland Road South, they could see smoke coming from the basement window.

The two elderly occupants managed to make it out of the house. The woman made it out on her own steam but the elderly man required assistance to exit the burning house.

There was one casualty in the fire however, "the family cat was found deceased and the owners have been notified," says Light.

The couple were understandably upset upon receiving the news. Light says the fire itself wasn't too difficult to handle for the firefighters but the cold made conditions tough, "the first hydrant we went to was frozen so we had to transfer our attack plan and hit another hydrant on the other side of the truck."

---

UPDATE: 8:30 a.m.

Firefighters have knocked down a house fire at 350 Rutland Road South in Kelowna.

Platoon Capt. Tim Light says the first hydrant crews hooked up to was frozen.

Crews remain on scene, and roads are closed in the vicinity.

An elderly couple called 911 about 7:30 a.m. when the fire spread from a basement fireplace.

The woman got out safely and went next door, while firefighters had to help an elderly man out of the building.

A family cat was killed in the fire.

---

ORIGINAL: 7:40 a.m.

Emergency crews are on scene of a house fire on Rutland Road South. Kelowna firefighters are battling the blaze as of 7:30 a.m. RCMP are now on scene, directing traffic.

Initial reports indicate flames could be seen shooting out of a first-floor window, and the fire appears to have started in the basement.

Firefighters indicate they believe everyone has made it out of the building safely.

More coming....