The fire along the 400 block of Elm Avenue broke out just after 4 a.m., Tuesday.

The fire had grown to a significant size before it was first reported by witnesses.

The fire department said the City of Penticton is supporting Watkinson by issuing his regular paycheque and the provincial government covered the cost of his flight. 

150 municipal firefighters from 27 jurisdictions across B.C. will descend on Penticton from April 6-8 for the first training exercise of its kind in the Okanagan.

They combed through the wreckage twice but have been unable to locate the missing senior’s body.