UPDATE: 3:20 p.m.
West Kelowna firefighters fought a stubborn blaze at Burnco Rock Products Ltd for more than six hours, on Friday.
According to assistant fire chief Brent Watson, crews will be returning to the concrete plant periodically to monitor for hotspots.
“Due to safety concerns and to the condition of the structure, investigators were not able to enter the building to complete a full investigation of the fire’s cause,” he said.
It’s believed the cause is electrical in nature and is not considered suspicious.
The 25 firefighters who fought the blaze were able to save a number of commercial vehicles parked around the building, as well as adjacent machinery and industrial infrastructure.
The building has been turned back over to the property owner.
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The roof of a concrete plant on fire in West Kelowna has collapsed and 20-foot flames can been seen coming from the building.
An employee from Burnco Rock Products Ltd., who wished to remain anonymous, said they smelled something burning around 6 a.m. and believed it was coming from the electric room.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 6:19 a.m. and a ladder truck is now on scene trying to douse the flames from above.
There are no reports of any injuries.
“Due to energized electrical equipment involved in the fire and for the safety of firefighters, crews attacked the fire defensively from the outside of the building,” wrote Jason Brolund, the fire chief for West Kelowna.
“Crews remain on scene at this time. The fire continues to be fought defensively, due to concerns of collapse of the roof and the building itself.”
He said there are three engines and one ladder truck along with 19 firefighters on scene.
The concrete plant is located at 2695 Auburn Road.
A Kelowna Capital News reporter is on scene.
