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Fire in Okanagan Falls under investigation

Penticton RCMP were called in to investigate an early-morning fire Sunday at the Centex Gas Station on 9th Avenue in Okanagan Falls.
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Investigators are treating a fire at the Centex Gas Station in Okanagan Falls as suspicious.

Penticton RCMP were called in to investigate an early-morning fire Sunday at the Centex Gas Station on 9th Avenue in Okanagan Falls.

“It appears the building might have been entered through a roof hatch and the fire could have been intentionally sent and right now the fire is being treated a suspicious until thoroughly investigated,” said Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth.

He added crews from the Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department were able to contain the flames to a small area keeping damage to a minimum.

The fire department was called to the scene around 2:10 a.m. on Aug. 14 said Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department chief Bob Haddow. In order for the fire department to work safely FortisBC shut down power to about 900 customers for 30 minutes then a second power system was shut down impacted about 1,000 customers in Okanagan Falls. All power was restored by 3:20 a.m.

Haddow said when the fire department arrived it was mostly smoke with fire starting to breach the roof of the portion of the building that is designated as a dinning area or restaurant. Crews were mopping up the area by 8:14 a.m.

A fire occurred nearby the building in May that was also deemed suspicious. (read more: Okanagan Falls fire deemed suspicious)