Oliver firefighters battle flashover blaze

Photo: Daniel Hayduk - Castanet File Photo

Firefighters in Oliver encountered a flashover while battling a shop fire Sunday.

Firefighters in Oliver encountered a very dangerous situation at a fire early Sunday morning.

Oliver Fire Department spokesperson Spencer Tribbick says crews responded to a structure fire on 99 Street just after 2 a.m. on July 24.

"It was a two-storey woodworking shop, and it wasn't fully involved, but it was flashover conditions," says Tribbick.

Tribbick says while the fire appeared to only be smouldering, it was starved of oxygen and had built up superheated gasses.

"As soon as we opened up a door to make entrance and start fighting the fire, it took a big gulp of air and the fire got really exciting at that point."

No firefighters were injured, and most of the building was saved.

The fire is not suspicious and the exact cause of the blaze is under investigation.