By Pete McIntyre

Sawmill fire North of Vernon

May 17, 2016 | 2:19 PM

VERNON — Fire crews had to deal with an industrial fire on the Okanagan Indian Band Reserve Tuesday afternoon.

A sawmill located at 2202 Highway 97, about 20 kilometres north of Vernon, caught fire around 12 pm.

The Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department was in charge of the fire fighting.

The Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Department also responded, to make sure it didn’t spread into their area.

Raymond Gregoire lives nearby on North Grandview Flats Road.

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He says fire crews were quick to knock down the flames, but initially the smoke was very black.

“It was almost like pitch burning. If it would have got into the forest across the road, it could have started up the hillside, so good thing they got it when they did,” Gregoire tells Kiss FM.

Gregoire says soon after the fire crews arrived, the smoke turned mostly to steam as the flames were put out.

No word yet on the cause or any injuries.

The fire was said to be in some sawdust piles, which will likely smoulder for some time.

Witnesses say there were a couple of explosions, believed to be from gas-powered generators at the site.