Vernon, B.C. fire department shares details of response to fatal blaze

Vernon Fire Rescue Services' deputy chief of operation defended the department's handling of the call saying there was nothing crews could have done differently once on scene. 

The deaths of three people in a house fire near Vernon, B.C. last week have raised a lot of questions.

Now the fire department is filling in some of the blanks by detailing its response to the blaze.

In an interview, Vernon Fire Rescue Services’ deputy chief of operations, Alan Hofsink, defended the department’s handling of the situation saying firefighters responded when they received the call and there was nothing crews could have done differently once on scene.

“They did a good job at suppressing the fire in a defensive mode,” Hofsink said. “It is just critical to all homeowners to make sure they have working fire detection.”

Hofsink couldn’t comment on whether the burnt house had smoke alarms.

The fire was originally called in by a resident in the Predator Ridge neighbourhood of Vernon around 11:45 p.m. on March 6,  and was thought to be in the Predator Ridge area, Hofsink said.

However, the blaze turned out to be on nearby Commonage Road, which is outside of any municipal fire department’s jurisdiction.

“The first original caller called from a distance away and saw the flames coming through the roof. This fire was burning for some time. How long? I’m not sure,” the deputy chief said.