West Kelowna Fire Rescue were called to a barbecue fire that turned devastating in the Bayview subdivision on Westbank First Nation lands on Thursday evening.
When crews arrived, flames had spread to the roof of one home as well as the home next door, according to fire chief Jason Brolund.
Crews from Westbank, Lakeview Heights, Glenrosa and Rose Valley stations were called in to help put out the blaze.
“Hot temperatures combined with poor air quality were factors that made the firefighters job even more complex,” Brolund said.
Both structures saw significant second-storey fire damage, while the rest of the structures sustained heavy water damage from the fire suppression effort.
Homeowner Christian Bravo, who has lived in the two-storey Village Road home for 18 years, got a call from neighbours about the fire that had spread from next door to his home.
He found flames shooting from behind his house when he arrived.
Despite the loss of everything they owned, Bravo was glad no one was hurt.
“I guess we’re safe so that’s what matters,” Bravo said.
During the firefighting effort, he informed firefighters his cat, Smudge, was still inside and a quick search found the scared and wet animal in the basement.
Neighbours tell Global News they’ve always been concerned about how close the homes were built together.
The barbecue was on a second-storey deck at the rear of the house and was surrounded by a wooden gazebo, according to neighbours.
The owner of the home where the fire started left the scene when fire crews arrived to try to mentally process the devastating loss, according to neighbour Spencer Starkey.
Bravo said his family is insured.
Emergency Support Services are taking care of 11 people and two pets affected by the blaze.
“The public is thanked for their multiple calls to 9-1-1 to report the fire. During this time of extreme fire danger, we appreciate the vigilance of the community,” Brolund said.
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