Home burns, animals OK

Photo: OKIB

UPDATE: 12:30 p.m.

Vernon RCMP confirm all animals associated to the house fire on Irish Creek Road are OK and were not harmed in the blaze.

Const. Kelly Brett says SPCA and Major Crime Unit investigators remain on scene.

Police confirm the rural Westside home was destroyed in the fire. 

Just after midnight, police and firefighters responded to the scene, including the Okanagan Indian Band Volunteer Fire Department. However, the home was fully engulfed in flames and could not be saved.

All occupants of the home evacuated safely. 

"The investigation is still in the very early stages, and the scene has been secured as investigators continue to look into the cause of the fire," says Brett. 

ORIGINAL: 11 a.m.

Castanet has received reports of a house fire on Irish Creek Road on Okanagan Indian Band land.

Few details are available, but witnesses tell Castanet the home was completely destroyed in the blaze, which happened early Friday morning.

Castanet has been told the house belongs to Carla Christman, who is under investigation by the SPCA for the condition of some of the animals in her care.

Castanet will have more information as soon as it becomes available.