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UPDATE: Vernon house destroyed in blaze comes down

Highway traffic is moving again as lanes reopen after morning fire

UPDATE 12:58 p.m.

Heavy machinery is taking down the historic home on Highway 97 and 39th Avenue.

The house was completely destroyed by an early morning blaze Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Highway traffic is moving well. Both southbound lanes have reopened but northbound is still down to one lane in front of the home.

No injuries have been reported at this time and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Original:

Grey smoke continues to billow from an abandoned house on Highway 97 and 39th Avenue Wednesday morning.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services are on scene Oct. 21 to extinguish the structure fire that broke out before 7:30 a.m.

“The fire is under control, but it is still burning,” City of Vernon communications director Christy Poirier said.

Firefighters have not been able to gain full access to the interior of the home, so heavy equipment is being brought in to pull portions of the building apart for better access.

Traffic is flowing well, Poirier said around 11:30 a.m. Both southbound lanes on Highway 97 have since reopened and one northbound lane is open. A small portion in the northbound lane at 39th Avenue remains blocked off while crews are still on scene.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No injuries have been reported at this time.

Multiple fire apparatus and about 15 firefighters are on scene alongside Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, BC Ambulance Service and BC Hydro, the City of Vernon said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Vintage Vernon BC shared some historical images of the home that was built in 1901.

The home was a designated heritage property but was later deleted off the register in 2005, according to Greater Vernon Museum and Archives community engagement coordinator Gwyneth Evans.

The home had fallen in disrepair over the years.

More information to come.

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@caitleerach
Caitlin.clow@vernonmorningstar.com

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