Vehicles and a shed were damaged in a fire on Saturday that sent billowing black smoke into the Penticton sky near the airport.
Penticton Indian Band Fire Chief Barry Phillips said flames came within 20 feet of the Delta Mobile Home Park but PIB fire crews working together with the City of Penticton Fire Department managed to keep the blaze from destroying any residences. The fire broke out late Saturday afternoon on a property behind the Delta Mobile Home Park on the old KVR tracks.
“There was 40-foot flames shooting out, thick black smoke and explosions,” Phillips explained. “There was four vehicles and a shed burning but everyone got out and there was no injuries. A lot of damaged property though.”
The fire broke out after a truck that was getting mechanical work backfired and sparked the blaze.
“The area it was in was so thick with bushes and trees that one little spark started it and it went so fast,” said Phillips. “It was a really intense fire because the road is only 10 feet wide. Because of the trees and bush were so thick around it, we could only get our smaller truck in there.”
Using a pumper truck that holds 300 gallons of water and foam, Phillips said the Penticton Indian Band fire crew was able to knock down the flames. He said by the time they came back with their second tank the City of Penticton Fire Department was there hitting the fire from the other side.
Phillips said the fire crew was on the scene for about two hours dousing hot spots in the brush.