Couple injured in fire
An East Hill house fire could have had far more serious consequences.
Two couples fled main floor and basement suites as flames roared through a home in the 2000 block of 30th Avenue just before 6 a.m. Tuesday.
“We are very fortunate everyone got out,” said Lawrie Skolrood, Vernon deputy fire chief.
“When there’s an early morning fire, there is a concern about people sleeping.”
The individuals living upstairs were taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation.
The couple residing downstairs were able to get out of the house safely.
“They heard some crashing noises and windows breaking and they woke up,” said Skolrood.
A neighbour, who happens to be a Vernon firefighter, heard some yelling outside and observed a man outside with no shoes or shirt on. The neighbour provided him with shoes and clothes and then reported the blaze to 911.
Sawdust insulation was one of the difficulties experienced by firefighters.
“An older building like that can have hidden spaces,” said Skolrood of the challenge of trying to extinguish the blaze.
Extensive damage was done to the kitchen and living room.
A cause has not been determined and it’s not known if there was insurance in place.
Emergency Social Services is providing assistance to the occupants of the home.
A woman staying in an RV on the property has also been displaced because electricity to the home and the RV were shut off during the blaze.
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