Fire behind Vernon's heritage post office quickly knocked down

UPDATE: 9:40 a.m.

A fire this morning at the city's first post office has been deemed suspicious.

The City of Vernon says firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the structure fire, keeping it from spreading to nearby trees.

An early fire investigation confirms the fire started on the exterior of the cabin structure in the park space adjacent to Lower BX Creek.

"The fire caused minor damage to the exterior and roof of the building, but crews stopped it from spreading to the interior," says Deputy Fire Chief Alan Hofsink.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

The fire has been deemed suspicious, and the file has been handed over to RCMP.

UPDATE: 9:10 a.m.

The City of Vernon says firefighters were called to the scene of a fire at the city's heritage post office building about 8:30 a.m.

The wooden cabin by the roundabout across from the Schubert Centre was Vernon's first post office.

Upon arrival, crews confirmed smoke was coming from the structure in the small park beside BX Creek.

Crews knocked the fire down quickly and have now left the scene.

ORIGINAL: 9 a.m.

Police and fire crews are on the scene of a fire in downtown Vernon.

First responders were alerted that smoke could be seen coming from the old post office just after 8:30 this morning.

The heritage post office was the first post office in Vernon and is located behind the FreshCo grocery store near the roundabout at 30th Avenue and 35th Street.

The fire appears to have started in a homeless camp behind the building.

More information will be coming as it becomes available.