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(UPDATE: 1:20 p.m.) - The Kelowna Fire Department says that the cause of a two-storey structure fire in the Pandosy area of Kelowna this afternoon was caused by roofing being done on the building.
Tim Light, Platoon Captain with the KFD, said that upon arrival, there was fire on the roof caused by torch on roofing. The fire got into the sawdust insulation in the ceiling due to the age of the building, he says. They opened up the roof of the building and the fire is now extinguished.
Light says that there was one small smoke explosion that sent one member to the hospital. The firefighter was sent to hospital when an explosion blew off a piece of the siding from the building striking the firefighter in the chest and shoulders. He remains in stable condition at KGH.
There are now in the overhaul and salvage stage. There was one person in the upper level apartment suite at the time, but they were able to evacuate safely.
The lower level also houses an apartment suite lived in by the owner of the building, Pope's Photography. She was not home at the time and is also okay.
ESS was called to care for the tenants and owner of the building. In all four people have been displaced from the building. The building was insured. Kelowna fire department had 26 personnel on scene along with a city safety representative.
(UPDATE: 1:10 p.m.) - The Kelowna Fire Department has confirmed that one of their crew members was taken to hospital after a structure fire this afternoon.
The firefighter is in satisfactory condition, Tim Light with the KFD confirmed.
(UPDATE: 1 p.m.) - We are now hearing reports that a firefighter may have been injured while fighting the fire at Pope's this afternoon.
West Kelowna Fire Rescue tweeted about the report saying they hope their "brothers and sisters" in Kelowna are okay after hearing of a firefighter taken to hospital after a two-storey structure fire.
We hope our brothers and sisters in @IAFF953 Kelowna are ok. Reports of a firefighter injured and taken to hospital while fighting a two storey structure fire. @bcpffa @KelownaNow @CastanetNews @IAFFNewsDesk
— West Kelowna Fire (@IAFF4457) January 18, 2019
NowMedia will update this story when more information becomes available.
(UPDATE: Jan. 18 @ 12:52 p.m.) - A reporter at the scene reports that the situation appears to be at a stand still. Incident command is on scene.
(Original Story)
Fire crews are responding to a structure fire on Pandosy Avenue this afternoon.
A fire has started at Pope’s Photography, and fire crews and police are currently on scene.
A NowMedia reporter at the scene says there's still smoke coming from the building. There are seven firetrucks at the scene. Significant damage has been done to the building. RCMP have blocked off traffic from Raymer and West Ave.
Original Joe's, next to the business, appears to have been evacuated.
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