Image credit: Sherry Bennett/Contributed

By Aaron Schulze

St. Andrews on the Square

Historic St. Andrew’s on the Square catches fire

May 2, 2024 | 9:21 AM

UPDATE (11:00 a.m.): The downtown power outage has been limited to 209 customers.

However, BC Hydro says power will not be restored until 4:00 p.m. for customers west of Second Avenue, north of Columbia Street, east of Lee Road and south of Seymour Street.

UPDATE (9:50 a.m.): KFR says crews have knocked down the fire and are continuing to assess.

However, KFR says the St. Andrew’s fire has affected a transformer, and power in the local grid is expected to be out for the remainder of the day. FortisBC crews are also working to shut off gas to the church.

Image credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today

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EARLIER: KAMLOOPS — The oldest public building in Kamloops is on fire.

Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) responded to a structure fire at St. Andrews on the Square in downtown Kamloops shortly before 9:00 a.m. Thursday (May 2). Smoke and flames were seen coming from the church on Seymour Street that was built in 1887.

KFR is asking residents to stay away from downtown Kamloops as crews attempt to put out the fire.

The City of Kamloops says all traffic, including transit, in and out of downtown will be detoured.

Additionally, BC Hydro is reporting 1,900 customers in downtown Kamloops and the Sagebrush neighbourhood has been without power since around 9:00 a.m.

Power is expected to be restored at around 10:30 a.m.

Image credit: BC Hydro

This is a developing story. More information will be provided once it’s available.