Dorm fire at West Kelowna bible camp

WEST KELOWNA — A dormitory at the Green Bay Bible Camp in West Kelowna was evacuated after a fire broke out in the lounge area on Saturday night.

The assistant fire chief for West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR) said the department responded to the incident on Green Bay Road shortly before 10 p.m.

When crews got there, they found a fire confined to the lounge area on the second floor of a two-story dormitory.

“The initial arriving crews were able to successfully stretch attack lines through the courtyard and advance into the building,” said Assistant Fire Chief, Darren Lee in a news release.

Lee said the fire was burning against an interior wall, having spread into the wall and attic space. He says the lounge area on the upper floor was full of smoke.

“WKFR crews were able to knock down the main body of fire with an offensive interior fire attack and pull the drywall from the wall and ceilings to expose and extinguish the extended fire,” said Lee.

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“Once the fire was under control, crews worked to protect the attached units from fire, smoke and water damage.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "Once the fire was under control, crews worked to protect the attached units from fire, smoke and water damage."

Lee said 25 WKFR personnel attended the scene along with West Kelowna RCMP, B.C. Ambulance Service, B.C. Hydro and Fortis Gas.

“A total of four engines, and two command vehicles initially attended the incident. One ladder truck and one additional engine were brought in to perform fire watch and help the resort’s guests secure their personal belongings,” said Lee.

Lee said it’s thanks to fast-acting staff and guests at the dormitory that no one was injured in the incident. He also credits those who quickly closed the doors to the lounge when the fire was discovered and as people inside were evacuating the building.

“This simple act confined the fire and protected other evacuating occupants. Closing the doors to the lounge also prevented the rapidly growing fire from receiving the oxygen it needed to spread throughout the dormitory,” said Lee.

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "This simple act confined the fire and protected other evacuating occupants. Closing the doors to the lounge also prevented the rapidly growing fire from receiving the oxygen it needed to spread throughout the dormitory," said Lee.

Lee said a fire watch crew stayed on scene throughout the night to monitor for hot spots. Fire investigators are still looking into the cause.