An elderly woman died this week in a Summerland house fire.
RCMP said in a Tuesday statement that the house fire was spotted just before 2 p.m., on Canyon View Road on Monday. A 78-year-old woman who was a resident of the home died in the blaze.
RCMP said another person was somewhere on the property when the fire broke out.
Global News has since learned that other person was the woman’s husband.
Neighbors also said the victim, a longtime Summerland resident, had a health condition that impacted her mobility and was likely the cause of her not being able to escape the burning structure.
“We express our sincere condolences to the family, who must be going through an immensely challenging time. Our thoughts are also with the first responders and other individuals affected by this tragedy,” Cpl. James Grandy said.
In an email to Global News, Summerland fire chief Rob Robinson said fire fighters experienced extreme fire behaviour, when they arrived on scene and that the house was almost fully involved .
He added that the blaze was being fanned by a very strong south wind.
Robinson said the fire wasn’t easy to extinguish but that fire fighters managed to protect surrounding structures.
The fire department responded with an engine truck, ladder truck. water Tender and two duty officer pick-up trucks with a total of 15 fire fighters.
The Coroners Service of British Columbia joined the Summerland RCMP and Summerland Fire at the scene to continue the investigation.
The cause of the fire is believed accidental, and is not criminal, or suspicious.
Police said it’s possible the cause was related to a barbecue or some burning device.
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