(Image Credit: Victor Kaisar/CFJC Today)

By Victor Kaisar

Overnight Fire

Kamloops Fire Rescue snuff out overnight fire at abandoned Victoria Street commercial building

Jan 15, 2026 | 7:28 AM

KAMLOOPS — (UPDATE 1:00 p.m.): Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) says the former Fashion 5 building on Victoria Street will be demolished, if a structural engineer determines its not safe to access.

Platoon Chief Kris Krutop told CFJC Today that KFR is awaiting an assessment of the building at 418 Victoria Street before investigators can begin to try and determine what caused the fire around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 14) night.

“If its safe to access, we’ll do an investigation,” Krutop said. “If its not, then we’ll have to knock the building down. We’re just trying to make it safe for the investigators and the public.”

Photos and videos from the scene showed firefighters battling the blaze past midnight. Crews were still seen putting out hot spots as of 8:15 a.m. Thursday morning.

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It’s not clear what sparked the fire, though Krutop confirmed it did not spread to other neighbouring businesses. No injuries were reported either. 

“Reports were that the building is somewhat under construction or renovation or something along those lines but as far as we’re aware there is nothing too out of the ordinary,” he said. “We’re just looking to go in and do a routine investigation.”

(Image Credit: Victor Kaisar/CFJC Today)

(Image Credit: Victor Kaisar/CFJC Today)

Dave Johnson with the Kamloops Brain Injury Association, which is located next door, said he’s appreciative of the efforts of Kamloops Fire Rescue.

“The fire guys were amazing. They came in and put fans in our building to push out all the smoke and the fire to make sure that this property was protected,” Johnson said. “We are open for business. You can barely even smell anything because these guys did an amazing job.”

“It’s true I have a new plywood door and its kind of stylish but they had to get in somehow to protect the property and keep people safe.”

Kamloops RCMP say the Fashion 5 building was abandoned, and they’re asking people who may have information to call 250-828-3000 and cite file 2026-1404.

“Kamloops RCMP is keeping the scene secure until investigators are able to attend to learn more about the cause of the fire,” RCMP Cpl. Dana Napier said in a statement. “The fire was suppressed preventing the spread to further property damage to other buildings.”

(Image Credit: Facebook/Md Onik Islam)

– With files from Aaron Schulze and Anthony Corea/CFJC Today