A man was hospitalized with second-degree burns and smoke inhalation after a fire destroyed two trailers south of Nelson early Thursday morning.
Nelson Fire and Rescue said in a release they responded to a report of a tree on fire at 1:38 a.m. They arrived at a property just south of the city boundary to find two travel trailers, a boat and a shed also on fire.
No occupants were in the burning trailers but one man in a nearby trailer had to be evacuated and sent to Kootenay Lake Hospital with burns to his arms and respiratory tract.
Firefighters also found a large number of discarded needles near the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Crews from Beasley, Blewett and the North Shore Fire Departments also responded to provide water shuttle support due to a lack of nearby hydrants. Nine firefighters, two engines, one tender truck and one utility vehicle were used to put out the fire, which caused an estimated $40,000 in damages.
Nelson Fire and Rescue requests combustible materials are not stored near homes, and that propane is not kept in concealed locations.
