Wildfire near Penticton contained, threatened properties

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PENTICTON (NEWS 1130) – Some good news about a fire that sparked in a community west of Penticton this morning. Crews say the West Bench blaze has been 100 per cent contained.

It took less than an hour from the first signs of smoke for the fire to roar to life, shooting flames and smoke that lapped dangerously close to homes and threatening about 30 properties.

A couple homes were evacuated, while others were told to be on alert.

Brad Heron was in town visiting his parents and was just a few homes away from being forced by crews. “We saw the flames and smoke first and trying to figure out what to do. We got everything packed in case we had to evacuate. One house up the hill from the fire — their roof caught and started smoldering. That was quite scary.”

Despite the intensity, the fire only grew to half a hectare before firefighters quickly got it under control.

Penticton Fire Chief Larry Watkinson says the flames damaged the roofs of two homes. “We’re talking the fire was as close as you were going to get to losing upwards of 30 homes and we were able to contain it.”

Two properties have minor damage and Watkinson adds crews will monitor the fire overnight for hot spots.

It’s unclear what sparked the blaze.

 

 

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