Propane barbeque causes Sahali house fire

May 28, 2018 | 5:01 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fire investigators have determined the cause of a fire that destroyed an Upper Sahali Home on Friday.  

Shortly before 5 p.m., flames ripped through the home in the 400 block of Garibaldi Drive. Firefighters responded to an initial report of a fast-moving grass fire that broke out behind the home, but further information confirmed it was a structure fire. Crews arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames and spreading quickly. Fire investigators have determined the blaze started with a propane barbeque.

“The homeowner put some meat on the barbeque set it on low, went inside for a few minutes and heard a loud sound, the propane ignited a large part of his deck and he came downstairs to find most of his deck on fire and called 911,” says Kamloops Fire Investigator Kevin Cassidy. “It was a windy day and with the help of the propane gas it spread into the house and the fire was quite aggressive.”

Kamloops Fire Rescue says there were no injuries, and everyone managed to escape unscathed. Homeowners are being reminded to do some basic propane barbeque and other types of barbeque maintenance. For more information visit www.technicalsafetybc.ca – or contact Kamloops Fire Rescue Life Safety Educator Lyle Weninger – at 250-571-2965.