Fire crews were called out Friday night to fight a fully engulfed residential structure fire in the area of the Friesen Business Complex on the Mellor’s Frontage Road, but the structure was a total loss.
The fire call-out took place at approximately 8:42 p.m. and crews worked until just after midnight.
“The 911 calls came from people on the highway. The fire went up very rapidly and was fully involved when fire crews from the Ranchero department arrived,” said Kenn Mount, CSRD fire services co-ordinator.
Approximately 20 fire fighters from the Ranchero Department responded and the Salmon Arm Fire Department assisted by supplying one water tender truck to supplement the water capabilities of the area.
The structure was a complex of rental units, made up of some older mobile trailer units linked together with a roof structure. All the units were vacant at the time of the fire.
A few adjacent trees caught fire and were extinguished, but the fire was not allowed to spread to any other nearby structures. There was minor damage to a mini-van that was parked in front of the blazing structure.
“The joined roof certainly complicated the fire fighting conditions,” said Mount. “It was a total loss, low in terms of actual dollar value, but the owner had no insurance coverage.”
Mount said one firefighter had to be treated for minor smoke inhalation, but there were no other issues.
In addition to fire crews, police, BCÂ ambulance, gas and hydro workers were all on scene.
Mount says the cause of the blaze is currently undetermined.
“We couldn’t even really get in there to investigate, as there was too much destruction, it was unsafe to even go into the area. The fire was the most intense on the west side and we are still hearing from witnesses, but right now we have no probable cause.”
Mount complimented the efficient work of the Ranchero Fire Department.
“They did a really good job controlling the scene, I was really impressed with that.”
