Ten people will need to find a new place to live after a house fire in Rutland early Friday morning.
The Kelowna Fire Department responded to the scene around 9:30 a.m. after multiple 911 calls of heavy smoke coming from a four-plex unit at 195 Valleyview Road, near Highway 33 and Hollywood Road.
Upon arrival, firefighters found thick black smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building and initiated hand lines to contain the fire.
“All people have been accounted for,” said platoon fire chief Kelly Stephens, immediately following the fire.
He initally told the media a cat and a dog had died, however upon further investigation firefighters confirmed only one dog had died.
“There were quite a few cats and a couple dogs and we just housed them in place inside the rooms that were clear of smoke.”
He said the fire was knocked down quickly, but not before fire and smoke had damaged half of the basement and upper suite.
Stephens said a large police presence was initially called to the scene because at one point they believe someone may have died in the fire, however that was not the case.
He said it appears the fire started near the rear of the building, but they have not determine the exact cause of the fire.
Investigators are on scene and will make that determination by this afternoon.
Crews responding to 165 Valleyview Road for a structure fire. @KelownaCapNews pic.twitter.com/j815nc4N1p
— Michael Rodriguez (@MichaelRdrguez) December 6, 2019
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