WATCH: Penticton fire investigators say smoking materials caused apartment fire

UPDATE — Fire officials say last night’s fire was set off accidentally.

“Possibly due to some smoking material that was left in some bedding and a mattress that was located in the garage. So it appears somebody was sleeping in the garage,” says Penticton Fire Chief Wayne Williams.

Williams also clarifies that there was a third person found in the unit who suffered smoke inhalation. Since that person fled to safety on their own, he was not aware of this during last night’s interview with Global News.

Neighbours say the people living in the unit were evicted and were expected to move out.

Williams confirms that those tenants were in the process of leaving. They are now under the care of emergency support services.

PENTICTON — Two people were stranded in their home as a garage fire burned beneath them, according to fire officials. Penticton Fire Chief Wayne Williams says one of them jumped to safety, while crews used a ladder to reach the other. They have been taken to hospital with unknown injuries.

Emergency crews received a call before 6:30 p.m. Sunday to the apartment complex on Maple Street, but the garage was fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived.

Williams says the blaze caused a gas leak and a couple dozen people living in neighbouring units were evacuated due to concerns of a possible explosion.

Those residents have since been able to go back to their homes. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Newshawk video of fire fighters arriving at scene.