Fire tears through Penticton apartment building

UPDATE 6:25 p.m.

Residents of the apartment complex tell Castanet everyone managed to escape the fire unharmed.

Melissa Neufeld says she was grocery shopping when she got a call about the fire.

“When it all started, my girlfriend Nicole bless her heart, ran over and ran right over towards everything on fire to get the animals out,” Neufeld said.

“We are just glad we are OK, and the neighbors are OK, luckily we have some good people around to ensure everyone was out of the buildings.”

Neufeld said when she arrived on scene flames were billowing out of the roof of the building. Her unit was not impacted directly by the flames.

One of the residents of the unit that burned told Castanet that two of three of his cats are missing, but all humans are accounted for.

ORIGINAL 6 p.m.

Firefighters have doused an apartment fire in Penticton.

The fire on Maple Street near Rene Avenue has caused massive damage to the upper level of the rental apartments.

RCMP are on scene and taking statements.

The fire was first reported just before 5:30 p.m., but crews appear to have made quick progress on dousing the flames.

More to come...

Photo: Chelsea Powrie