Two people are unaccounted for following a house fire in the Vernon area.
RCMP said they were called to a house fire in the 300-block of Northernview Road shortly after 4 a.m. Monday.
They said the structure was completely destroyed, and its occupants have not been located.
“The two known occupants of the home are unaccounted for at this time; however, the investigation is in its early stages,” Const. Kelly Brett said in a news release.
“Investigators are on scene and awaiting for the house to be considered safe for entry to begin their investigation.”
Neighbour John Kunow said the couple’s English bulldog came over to his home early in the morning.
Then, he and several others in the area heard what sounded like a rifle shot, he said.
“And then within four to five minutes, the place was on fire. I mean, I couldn’t even get near it,” he said. “But in the meantime, when I saw the flames come out of the window I called 911.”
Kunow said he had a problem getting through because the dispatcher was confused over which fire department had jurisdiction.
“It took about three, four calls… but we managed to get through,” he said.
“By that time, I was firing up my garden hose, hosing my stuff down because it was getting warm,” he said.
RCMP said they expect to be on scene for a number of days and more information will be released when it’s available.