Sunday house fire in Tappen doused before it could spread to nearby forest

TAPPEN, B.C. — Firefighters responding to a structure fire in Tappen Sunday night (Aug. 2) were able to keep it from spreading to the forest nearby.

According to the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), the fire broke out late Sunday at a home on Vella Road in Tappen, prompting the district to activate its emergency operations centre (EOC).

Firefighters from the Tappen Sunnybrae, Shuswap, White Lake and Eagle Bay Fire Departments all responded. The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) was alerted when flames caught the trees immediately surrounding the home.

While the home was completely destroyed, the responding crews contained the blaze to that single property. The homeowner was offered assistance from the CSRD’s emergency support services (ESS).