Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds
Tournament Inn Fire

Smoke alarm, quick-acting resident credited with saving lives in Valleyview motel fire

Mar 4, 2021 | 12:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) says a smoke alarm and the quick thinking of a Tournament Inn tenant saved lives this week.

A fire erupted in a unit at the motel early Tuesday morning (Mar. 2).

As smoke started billowing from the unit, it tripped a smoke alarm, awakening the resident next door, Rob Fletcher.

According to a KFR news release, Fletcher jumped out of bed to see flames coming from the neighbouring unit. He called 911 before kicking on the unit’s back door to ensure the occupants were awake.

By the time the first fire engine arrived on scene, the flames were coming out of both sides of the unit, spreading to trees, a gazebo and two vehicles.

No one was injured, and Fire Investigator Kevin Cassidy says that is thanks to the smoke alarm and Fletcher’s quick actions.

“The room involved had completely flashed over, meaning it was completely engulfed in fire,” Cassidy is quoted in the release. “Those conditions would not have been survivable.”

KFR says the probably cause was combustible materials stored too close to a baseboard heater.

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