Abandoned home in Kelowna's Rutland area burns Sunday afternoon

Abandoned home burns

Photo: Cindy White

An abandoned home burns on Dougall Road South Sunday afternoon.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.

A blaze that destroyed an abandoned house on Dougall Road S. in Kelowna Sunday afternoon was not the first fire at the property.

Just 10 days ago, a neighbour shared a photo of another, smaller fire at the house near the corner of Dougall Road and Grey Road.

She was frustrated over ongoing problems at the address, saying homeless people were camping on the site and the property was being used for criminal activity.

The City of Kelowna told Castanet last month that bylaw services had received several complaints about the home. They were working with the property owner to secure the house and said demolition was pending.

ORIGINAL 12:55 p.m.

building is burning in Kelowna's Rutland area Sunday afternoon.

The fire on Dougall Road South near Gray Road began at about 12:30 p.m. Responding fire crews said smoke and flames were visible from the house upon their arrival.

Fire crews and the RCMP are now on scene, as firefighters work to extinguish the blaze.

As of 12:45 p.m., heavy smoke continues to pour out of the roof of the building.

The home appears to be abandoned, with boarded up windows and graffiti covering the exterior.