A South Okanagan family is out of a home after fire ripped through their house early Sunday morning.
Firefighters arrived at the house, which sits atop a hill on Cedar Avenue in Summerland, at 5 a.m.
Summerland assistant fire chief Chad Gartrell says smoke and flames had consumed the house by the time crews arrived.
He adds the fire appears to have started on the main floor and heavy flames caused the floors to collapse into the basement.
The couple that lives in the house was in Edmonton when the blaze broke out; no one was injured.
Family members say the house was only built a couple years ago.
“They had this development and they tried hard,” said Rhys Davidson, nephew of the homeowners. “They just love this house so much.”
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Neighbours also came out Sunday morning to see the aftermath of the blaze.
“Just to see it burned down, it was just devastating,” said neighbour Nick Hugh-Jones. “It really upset my family thinking of the loss, their loss.”
With the house on top of a hill, firefighters are keeping a close eye on the water run off.
“We have been monitoring the water leaving the site,” said Gartrell. “We rerouted it away from the structural supports so at this time, we are no concerned about the banks.”
The house is not salvageable and no cause has been determined.
Firefighters do not believe the fire was suspicious, however, the loss is hard for Davidson to wrap his head around.
“I cannot believe that just happened. Why do bad things happen to good people?” he said.
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