Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

STRUCTURE FIRE

UPDATED: Fire breaks out at Kamloops United Church

Aug 13, 2024 | 10:04 AM

UPDATE (4:05 pm) Around 1:00 pm, Kamloops Fire Rescue posted a message on X.com asking people to stay clear of the area as they’re still mopping up. KFR says the initial investigation suggests that the fire was not suspicious and the cause appears to be electrical.

UPDATE (11:40 a.m.) KAMLOOPS — Shortly before 10 am, Kamloops Fire Rescue responded to a call for a fire on the corner of St Paul Street and Fourth Avenue.

When crews arrived on the scene, they found a fully involved fire at the Kamloops United Church, prompting them to call a second alarm.

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“The call came for a structure fire, 427 St. Paul,” Jeff Pont, Life Safety Educator with Kamloops Fire Rescue explains. “Engine 1 arriving on scene dispatched a second alarm. So we sent five trucks and 24 firefighters. It looks like it started inside the building and crews did great work put it out quickly.”

While everyone who was inside the church at the time of the fire made it to safety, Kamloops Fire Rescue says fire alarms are in place for a reason.

“I think it’s worth mentioning that when you hear a fire alarm, make sure you exit the building,” Pont says. “Don’t expect that it’s not a real fire alarm. Our crews did a great job getting everyone out. No injuries to report.”

KFR crews remained on the scene to ensure the fire was completely out. Once deemed safe, fire investigators will work to determine the cause of the fire.

“Our crews are still inside so it’s under investigation,” Pont says. “There’s definitely substantial damage As you can see, the fire was coming through the roof, so once our crews are done overhaul our investigators will get inside and have a closer look.”

UPDATE (10:20 a.m.): In a post to social media, KFR stated the fire at Kamloops United Church is knocked down, and crews are working on overhaul operations.

EARLIER: KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Fire Rescue crews were called to the 400 block of St. Paul Street Tuesday morning (Aug. 13), around 9:45 a.m. for a reported structure fire at the Kamloops United Church property.

Emergency crews, including firefighters and RCMP officers, are still on scene as of 10 a.m., and there’s no official word yet on the extent of damage to the building, or what caused the fire.

CFJC Today will update this story as more information becomes available.