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UPDATE: Fire destroys camper, spreads to homes in West Kelowna

Emergency crews responding to Tuscany Drive area

UPDATE: 11a.m.

Residents of the Shannon Lake community in West Kelowna woke up to a loud bang and sirens as an RV fire spread to two neighbouring houses on March 20.

Lionel Bateman, the Assistant Chief of West Kelowna Fire Rescue, said that emergency crews were called at approximately 9a.m.

Flames quickly spread from the RV to the attics of both homes, causing significant damage.

All residents and pets were able to exit the homes without injury, said Bateman.

Fire crews worked for approximately two hours to extinguish the blaze.

Kelly Hills, Fire Investigator with the West Kelowna Fire Department said that the fire was likely sparked by the furnace of the RV, which had been turned on that morning in an effort to prepare it for the camping season.

The camper was completely destroyed in the blaze.

The loud bang heard by residents was likely a result of tires being heated up, said Bateman.

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Hills said that the fire department urges people to keep their fire alarms and smoke detectors up to date with monthly testing.

UPDATE: 10:25 a.m.

The owners of one of the homes that was damaged in a Monday morning blaze were preparing their RV for camping season and had turned the heater on when it sparked a fire.

An off-duty RCMP officer spotted the smoke and alerted the residents in both homes, who were able to get out safely with their pets.

Flames spread to the attic of the homes causing significant damage. The families are now in the care of Emergency Support Services.

The blaze was brought under control about two hours after it started.

The RV was completely destroyed.

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UPDATE: 9:30 a.m.

A camper parked between two homes on Shannon Woods Crescent burst into flames, Monday morning.

The fire spread to both houses and crews are working to extinguish the flames.

The camper is completely destroyed and smoke can be seen coming from the roofs of both homes.

Both families from each house were evacuated safely. BC Hydro is on scene.

It’s unclear how the blaze started, but witnesses said they heard a loud bang before the fire started.

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Multiple emergency crews are responding to a call of visible flame and smoke coming from the Shannon Lake Drive area of West Kelowna.

Several people reported seeing the smoke just before 9 a.m. Monday.

The smoke is believed to be coming from a residence in the Tuscany Drive area.

Smoke can be seen from across Okanagan Lake in West Kelowna.

A reporter is headed to the scene and more information will be provided.

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@Jen_zee
jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca

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